*** A Season for Continued Service ***
As veterans and leaders in our communities service is in our DNA. Most of us signed up and raised our right hands while we were still teenagers. Now that we have a bit more gray hair (or little hair at all) we find that the habit of service is a hard to shake.
The holidays offer many opportunities to reach out to those in need with our time or resources. As Dickens puts it, "It is a time of all others when want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices."
Two of our fellow veterans have gone above and beyond to support veterans. Thank you to SSG (ret) Peter Hill who has raised more than $3000 for the vets at the VA Hospital in West Roxbury. And Thank You to CSM (ret) Carlos Ramos for his efforts to raise $2205 for Operation New Hope's many important initiatives to support military families
Please note the many events and giving opportunities below for ways that we can continue to serve, and in particular reach out to our fellow veterans who need a helping hand.
...and finally, Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
*** CONGRATULATIONS! ***
Congratulations to the following members of the Mass, Organized Militia (MAOM) who were recently promoted:
BG (MA) Chuck Cody - Army
BG (MA)John Rodolico - Army
Lt. Col. (MA) Mary Newton - Air
SGM (MA) Joseph Smith - Army
SGM (MA) Paul Hartz - Army
SGM (MA) Daniel Patterson - Army
MSG (MA) Angelo Rodriguez - Army
MSG (MA) Daniel Garrett - Army
Thank you for your continued service to the nation and the Commonwealth.
*** REACH OUT, GIVE BACK, & CONTINUE TO SERVE ***
Christmas Stockings for Veterans -
Starting on Veterans Day, November 11, 2021, and running until December 11, 2021, Christmas Stockings will be collected at all Battle Grounds Coffee Company locations and will be distributed to local veterans. Christmas stockings can include but are not limited to, thank you cards, hygiene products (male and female), gift cards, puzzle books, candy, and more. Those who would like to donate a Christmas stuffing can drop them off at any of the 3 Battle Grounds locations. Battle Grounds Coffee shops are located in:
Bradford
Haverhill
Newburyport
164th Transportation Battalion Virtual Toy Ruck to Boston Children's Hospital
For many years the 164th Transportation Battalion has spearheaded a ruck march bearing toys for the kids at Children's Hospital. Because of COVID restrictions this year's ruck march is virtual, but contributions may be made to the event before 10 December 2021. Here's the link:
https://secure.childrenshospital.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app206a?px=2609833&fr_id=2150&pg=personal&NONCE_TOKEN=B3B69E3075FACE908A6E3ED81CC9B3D5&fbclid=IwAR3eTdn7H-2sL_l3nKSjyM1fXPUScZJkF7VfZZUp91MT29VVZ5Vktf4Jn4s
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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