Information for Mass. Army & Air National Guard Veterans

*** 10 JUNE 2022 - BG Minor Promotion Ceremony - 1100 hrs., JFHQ

*** 11 JUNE 2022 - Land Component Commander  Change of Command Ceremony, TBD, Camp Edwards

*** 11 JUNE 2022 - 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade  Change of Command Ceremony, 1200 hrs., Camp Edwards

*** 11 JUNE 2022 - 151st Regional Support Group  Change of Command Ceremony, TBD, Camp Edwards

*** 11 JUNE 2022 - Camp Edwards Change of Command Ceremony, TBD, Camp Edwards

*** 11 JUNE 2022 - 14th Annual Women Veterans' Network Conference, TBD, Four Points Hotel, Norwood, MA

*** 12 JUNE 2022 - 104th Fighter Wing Change of Command Ceremony - 1100 hrs.,  Barnes ANG Base

*** 12 JUNE 2022 - State CSM Greg Widberg Retirement Ceremony - 1100 hrs., JFHQ

*** 13 JUNE 2022 - Flag Day Ceremony - 1300 hrs., Gardner Senior Center, Gardner, MA

*** 14 JUNE 2022 - Army Birthday Celebration, 1200 hrs. , JFHQ

*** 14 JUNE 2022 - Army Birthday Celebration, TBD, Dorchester Heights National Monument, South Boston, MA

*** 14 JUNE 2022 - Flag Day Ceremony, 1000 hrs., Cushing Memorial Park, Framingham, MA

*** 14 JUNE 2022 - Flag Day / Medal of Liberty Ceremony, 1700 hrs., Whitcomb Middle School, Marlboro, MA

*** 17 JUNE 2022 - Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony, 1300 hrs., Mass. Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA

*** 18 JUNE 2022 - Red Leg Ball, TBD, 415 Summer St., Boston, MA

*** 19 JUNE 2022 - 54th Mass. Honor Guard for Juneteenth Red Sox Game, TBD,  Fenway Park, Boston, MA

*** 25 JUNE 2022 - BG Driscoll Retirement Ceremony, 1100 hrs., Camp Curtis Guild, Reading, MA

*** 26 JUNE 2022 - Yankee Division Veterans' Association (YDVA) Convention, 1200 hrs., Quincy, MA

*** 4 JULY 2022 - Fourth of July Security Mission, TBD, Charles River Esplanade, Boston, MA

*** 8 JULY 2022 -Warrant Officer Corps Birthday Celebration, 1300 hrs., JFHQ

*** 20 AUGUST 2022 - Birdies for the Brave - Project New Hope Golf Tournament, TBD

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*** Changing of the Guard ***

June is a time of transition and celebration for the force as we congratulate BG Driscoll, BG Cupples, and CSM Widberg on the completion of their notable careers of service to the nation and Commonwealth. At the same time we welcome BG Paul Minor as the incoming Assistant Adjutant General - Army and COL Mark Kalin as the incoming Land Component Commander. We also welcome new commanders for the 104th FW, 26th MEB, 151 RSG, and Camp Edwards. 

The Adjutant General invites all veterans to JFHQ for the Army Birthday celebration on 14 June. Finally the YDVA also holds its annual convention in Quincy on 26 June. All of these events offer a great opportunity to catch up with comrades with whom we served.

*** Legislative Help Wanted ***

As veterans and respected members of our local communities, many of us have much more influence and power than we might realize. We can all continue to serve the Massachusetts National Guard and our fellow veterans by lending our voices in support or opposition to legislation that's currently being considered on Beacon Hill. A phone call or e-mail to our State Representatives or State Senators can have tremendous impact, particularly when we identify ourselves as veterans. As uniformed members of the Armed Forces, we were unable to speak out about legislative issues, but as veterans we can, and should, make sure our voices are heard. We all have the power to still serve.

Here are the bills the Guard OPPOSES:

*SB2552/HB4022- An Act protecting the Upper Cape water supply reserve

Issue – H.4022 and S.2552 both discriminate against the DoD by creating separate criteria that only exists on the Massachusetts Military Reservation.*SB2390 * (SD670) - An Act relative to Veterans' Education Tuition System (VETS)

Issue – This bill will create an unaffordable program for the Commonwealth since there are greater than 400,000 individuals that will be eligible for its use. 

*HB3676 (HD2953) - An Act relative to reimbursement for annual training for armed forces members

Issue: HB3676 reinstitutes stringent requirements on those employed by the Commonwealth that also service as members of the armed forces.

Here are the bills the Guard SUPPORTS:

* HB3672/SB2396 - An Act relative to the Massachusetts National Guard Family Education Program

Summary - Establishes a new GL 33:137A, establishing and regulating the operation of the Massachusetts National Guard family education program (NGFEP).

* HB3670/SB2462 - An Act relative to establishing the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity

Summary -  Adds new section 67B to GL Chapter 33 establishing a Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity

*SB2559/HB3648 - An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents

Summary - Grants in-state tuition and residency status for the purposes of admission to college students in military families.

*SB2542 (SD2767) - An Act to support military families

Summary - An in-depth and all-inclusive bill providing for changes to licensure

* SB2428/HB3645 - An Act relative to honoring the founding of the United States Army, the United States Air Force, and the National Guard

Summary - Adds three new Sections to GL 6, commemorating: (i) the fourteenth of June as the anniversary of the founding of the United States Army; (ii) the eighteenth of September as the anniversary of the founding of the United States Air Force; and (iii) the thirteenth of December as the anniversary of the founding of the National Guard. 

*HB2857/SB1900 - An Act establishing a tax credit for employment of National Guard members

Summary - Establishes an income tax credit (GL 62:6) and a corporate income tax credit (GL 63:38II) for businesses who hire members of the Massachusetts national guard.

(I will try to post a link to more information about these bills. If you are interested in more information, please send a contact message and we'll forward it to you.)

*** CONGRATULATIONS! ***

Congratulations to BG John Driscoll on his retirement. You have much to be proud of, John, during a long and distinguished career.

Congratulations to CSM Greg Widberg, a Soldier's Soldier, on the completion of an exceptional career. Thank you for your service to our state and nation, Greg.

Congratulations to COL Mark Kalin as he assumes the duties of Land Component Commander - and Congratulations to BG John Driscoll on a job well done!

Congratulations to COL Paul Minor on his promotion to Brigadier General and his new assignment as Assistant Adjutant General - and Congratulations to BG Ron Cupples on the completion of a distinguished career.

Congratulations to CW5 Jay Vincent on being named State Command Chief Warrant Officer!

Congratulations to CSM Jim Campbell on being named State Command Sergeant Major!

Congratulations to CW5 Bob Hallinan on receiving the Legion of Merit at the Salem Muster and for completing a successful tour as State Command Chief Warrant Officer.

*** REACH OUT, GIVE BACK, & CONTINUE TO SERVE ***

Montachusett Veterans Outreach Begins First Wednesday Morning Coffee Hours - 

MVOC in Gardner, MA offers a drop-in coffee hour on the first Wednesday of each month from 0930 to 1030 hours. The MVOC center is located at 268 Central St., Gardner, MA.

Project New Hope Launches Veterans Coffee Social on Tuesdays -

Project New Hope welcomes all veterans to stop by on Tuesdays from 0930 to 1100 hours for coffee and fellowship with our brothers and sisters. The center is located at 70 James St. #129A, Worcester, MA

Veterans' Coffee Hour on Mondays in Baldwinville - American Legion Post 373  in Baldwinville will host a Coffee Hour every Monday from 0800 to 1000 hours. All veterans are welcome. The post is located at 3 Central St. Baldwinville, MA. (Thank you to CSM (ret) Joe Young.)

Battlegrounds Coffee Company Weekly Veterans Social - Every Tuesday

Drop into Battlegrounds Coffee Company any Tuesday between 0700 and 0900 hrs. for a good cup of coffee and good conversation with fellow veterans. Battlegrounds Coffee is located at 33 Pleasant St., Newburyport, MA.

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