Healey admin marks Veterans day with a week of events held across the state
“What I love about patriotism, is that it knows no political party, it knows no color, it knows no background, it knows no religion — nobody has ownership on serving their country and being a patriot,” State Sen. Lydia Edwards said. “I love that.”
With Veterans day approaching the Healey Administration has been out in force this week with service-focused events held across the state.
Thursday was no exception when the governor joined other state leaders at the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke for a “Topping Off” Ceremony to celebrate the construction of a new facility there, while state Sen. Lydia Edwards joined students from Chelsea High School at the Veterans Home at Chelsea for a morning ceremony honoring local veterans.
Edwards, who is currently a 1st Lt. in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, explained that patriotism and service are not acts of partisan politics, but demonstrate that there are some things that can bring together Americans from all walks of life.
“What I love about patriotism, is that it knows no political party, it knows no color, it knows no background, it knows no religion — nobody has ownership on serving their country and being a patriot,” Edwards said. “I love that.”
Ira Novoselsky, a U.S. Army retiree and Chelsea Veterans Home board member, speaking directly the the veterans in attendance on Thursday, said they are the “embodiment of courage and resilience.”
“You have selflessly put your lives on the line to protect the values and principles that we hold dear: liberty, justice, and democracy,” he said.
It’s hard, Novoselsky said, for those who have not served, to understand the mental and physical challenges that veterans face both during and after service. Nevertheless, he said that service is an inspiration to all Americans.
“Thank you for your sacrifice, thank you for your service, thank you for exemplifying the very best of what it means to be a patriot,” he said.
The Healey Administration also held a Veterans Day ceremony at Assumption University’s Testa Science Center on Tuesday featuring Veterans Services Secretary Dr. Jon Santiago.
On Wednesday, Veterans Services Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett attended the 8th Annual Mass General Brigham Veterans Day Forum in Somerville, Santiago made an appearance at the Veterans Association of Bristol County Cookout in Fall River and kicked off the Inaugural Student Veterans Council Lunch at the State House in Boston.
On Thursday, Santiago was at a Ribbon cutting ceremony for the Berkshire Veterans Outreach Center in Pittsfield before he joined the governor and other officials in Holyoke.
Gov. Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll are scheduled to lead the 2024 Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the State House on Monday at 11 a.m.
What's Your Reaction?
