Mass. National Guard Veterans

SAVE THE DATE

*** 16 APRIL 2022 - Tough Ruck, TBD, Lexington, MA

*** 1 MAY 2022 - Rededication Ceremony - Shaw 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial, 1000 hrs., Boston Common

*** 2 MAY 2022 - COL Brett Conaway Retirement Ceremony, 1400 hrs., Natick, MA

*** 21 MAY 2022 - Medal of Liberty Presentation, TBD, Milford, MA

*** 26 MAY 2022 - Remembering and Honoring MA MIlitary Heroes, 1030 hrs.m Boston Common

*** 27 MAY 2022 - 1-182nd Infantry Battalion Deployment Ceremony, TBD, Mass. Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA

*** 1 JUNE 2022 - BG Ron Cupples Retirement Ceremony - TBD, JFHQ

*** 4 June 2022 - Casing the Colors Ceremony - 126th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) - TBD, YD Memorial, Camp Edwards, MA

*** 6 JUNE 2022 - Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company June Day - All Day, Boston Common

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

*** 11 JUNE 2022 - Multiple Change of Command Ceremonies, TBD

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

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

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News & Updates

*** How to Save a Life ***

It's a subject we don't like to discuss, but military suicides are on the rise. For reasons that we don't clearly understand, veterans take their own lives at 1.5 times the national suicide rate. I recently published an article in ARMY magazine that attempted to explore the reasons why we're more susceptible to the risk of suicide and I offer a few recommendations for better dealing with this crisis. You can find the article at this link:

https://www.ausa.org/articles/fighting-invisible-enemy

So what can any of us do about the suicide crisis? Here are three thoughts:

1. Reach out and Buddy Check - If you haven't heard from a friend lately reach out with a phone call, text, or e-mail. Social isolation, particularly in this time of COVID, increases suicide risk.

2. Remember ACE - If someone seems depressed or expresses a wish to harm themselves, these are the first aid steps:

Ask - "Are you planning to hurt yourself?"

Care - Express your concern and caring

Escort - Make sure they get to a doctor's office or clinic.

3. Tell Them About the Veterans/Military Crisis Line - 1-800-273-8255 press "1" or text 838255

We all need to pitch in to win the battle against military suicide. The lives of our brothers and sisters depend on it.

*** 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 MajGen Gary Keefe and Commander of Troops, COL Pete Fiorentino for the greatest Salem Muster since 1636 on 9 April 2022. Well Done!

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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Information ITEMS

*** Resources for Veterans ****

*** CALLING ALL RETIRED MASS. NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ***

The Mass. National Guard is continuing to build capacity to provide surge capability to respond to emergency operations. If you haven't already signed up, please complete your registration for the State Retired List. To become a member on the State Retired List you must have retired after 20 or more years from the Massachusetts Army or Air National Guard, have an Honorable Discharge, and your last five (5) years of service must have been in service to the Massachusetts National Guard.

*** Now more than ever we're seeking new members for the State Retired List.

If you're interested in joining, send an e-mail to:

BG (MA) Tom Stewart at

thomas.m.stewart.nfg@army.mil

CSM (ret) Tom Ardita at

thomas.v.ardita.nfg@army.mil

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