by Frank Schroth
Representative Timilty presenting Dan Mangoon with a special citation.
Yesterday morning a group of residents attended a brief parade and ceremony to acknowledge the sacrifice made by our war veterans and demonstrate their gratitude.
The featured speaker was Dan Magoon who is spearheading an effort to create a Memorial to the Fallen Heroes who died in Iraq and Afghanistan — Mr Magoon, who quoted the Army motto, “Fortuna Infortuna Forti Una”. (Fortune or Misfortune is all the same to a man of a stout heart.) Please click “Read more” for a gallery of images and related news from Senator Joyce.
Report Names Massachusetts First in the Nation in Veteran/Military Benefit Programs and Services
Ahead of Veterans Day, Senator Brian A. Joyce is highlighting the findings of a recent report by the state Legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs revealing that Massachusetts continues to lead to the nation in providing benefits and services to veterans, military members, and their families.
“Our state does not lead the nation because of the advocacy of legislators and policymakers. It leads the nation because of the impassioned advocacy of veterans, their families and their support organizations,” said Joyce.
According to the released report, Massachusetts ranks first in the nation by local and state government expending more than two times as many resources per veteran as any other state. The Commonwealth spent $173 per person on its more than 388,000 veterans in 2011, more than twice the amount spent by the next closest states, Illinois ($86) and Iowa ($84). Furthermore, Massachusetts leads the nation in in the number of benefits programs available to its veterans, by offering 67 services targeted for veterans. This is more than the second closest state and almost twice the number of financial assistance programs offered by any other state.
Last year, Massachusetts passed the VALOR Act, a nationally recognized veterans’ omnibus bill to help veterans, servicemembers, and their families. Building on the successes of the VALOR Act, the House and Senate recently passed VALOR Act II, which in the next few weeks will be going to the governor for his approval.