[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5967163,"mediaKeyId","5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d","parentId",5873032,"title","Representative Arriaga seeks to add 'reserve components' to state flag-half-staff law after KIA","audioSeconds",52,"startMs",231000,"endMs",283000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d&start=231&end=283","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d/thumbnail_231000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5967163/Massachusetts/Representative-Arriaga-seeks-to-add-reserve-components-to-state-flag-half-staff-law-after-KIA","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5967163-5fc5dcc0de932db9fa4de34d25b995ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1773658332&Signature=C-y~gOhQwBV1GEuWy7ZOHAM9ZAJCYGOVblgy46uGcAXiCX0OYfndgCSOPW4BoQ~Q8YmnktGoIfBDJWl7Jo5sc-a9MEG2koDowY7~HBE8EhHIM9diRXQhtWi2a9AfUHth~EF7fDuJlGI4W9PRXUg4NrnzJurT9WAAsHZBgHdm91ONk-tPXgod9Huq2M2rwzCU9-fuu0Hu0G9WYebSA0Pm-4jg7-AhlxLj3pMF3IS~F5Nc9BjFTmdCXDA-K4khwkCMB5aVftgqvSdni382K~Tly6S4Ut8MszzC0kLSC9uDkHrwvWOgvJuQQBPDsaByS6jJDLdVvVr~Q4h4WtpQzBIccA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Massachusetts Legislature","date","2025-09-30T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Arriaga testified before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in support of House Bill H3825, \"An Act to recognize service to our Commonwealth and our nation,\" which would insert the phrase \"reserve components\" in a statute listing service categories that trigger half-staff flag observances after a service member is killed in action.

\"This bill is very common sense, very straightforward. It simply corrects a missing word, and that word is reserve components,\" Representative Arriaga said, explaining that current language names individual branches but omits other reserve components whose members also may be killed in action.

Arriaga asked the committee to move the bill along so the Commonwealth can explicitly recognize all service members who die in the line of duty. Committee members took no formal action at the hearing and requested the bill be placed on the record for future consideration.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs - 9-30-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Arriaga told the joint veterans committee his bill H3825 would amend Massachusetts statutes so \"reserve components\" are included in the list of service categories that trigger flying flags at half-staff when a service member is killed in action.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MA, Massachusetts","taxId",77682,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5967166,"Committee hears broad push to expand Massachusetts—definition of \"veteran\" to include USPHS, NOAA and long-serving reservists",0,1304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d&start=1304&end=1304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d/thumbnail_1304000.jpg","/articles/5967166/Massachusetts/Committee-hears-broad-push-to-expand-Massachusettsdefinition-of-veteran-to-include-USPHS-NOAA-and-long-serving-reservists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5967166-8bd97583e51846c26b8d3fffee20fa30/orig.mp4?Expires=1773658332&Signature=K2o9GqHPJ~3l~fgzBtFwK7akwIOucFsnnSfZIebuz7-7YD6785rpGkj5WEz4MfVcLy4Eje0jiRtMsUsT~SBSyhD94hmHhNEVVNz~pY8AzmMSWhxUc2Pdu3UHNYuucWQin-ChsLbDmJPXfGi7Ld9m7rQIHVQmJEtF4bs9U97q6T3Ii9l84TvDhrygNb7l0CTnvM1SK3Bj-tbyGVzLptvQNdwGY2nEB-DRS8uAkqq0wbaFOxaFZg4urnSUoAOqBt48tkonRKI1ahrIWdsxReazbq1jzfGefg6HpPDyjHt4hleB8dYhcV-VKCD0rNpl30R4xLGmzOM-HgFPLF2XsVixfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs heard testimony supporting House Bill 3,871 and Senate Bill 24,67, which would amend Massachusetts\u0000General Laws definitions so more people who served in uniform are eligible for state veterans' benefits and recognition.

Supporters said the current mismatch between the HERO Act and the primary statutory definition in chapter 4 has created inconsistent treatment for people seeking state benefits. \"These bills aim to create consistency and fairness across Massachusetts General Laws for individuals defined as veterans,\" said Robert (Bob) Notch, the Commonwealth's veteran advocate, in testimony submitted to the committee.

Advocates who testified included veterans-service organizations, retired officers and members of uniformed federal services. Captain Carl Chancey, U.S. Public Health Service (ret.), described the USPHS Commissioned Corps and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps as \"uniformed services\" that deploy in disasters and integrate with military operations. \"The US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is the only uniform service whose weapon is not a gun. The weapon is science,\" he told the committee.

Jasmine Stewart, director of legislative affairs for the Commissioned Officers Association of the Public Health Service, said the change would \"ensure a clear and universal understanding of the definition of a veteran by making certain that the service of US Public Health Service officers is recognized here in Massachusetts just as it is at the federal level.\" Lisa McPhee testified for the American Legion Department of Massachusetts in support, and Albert Paquin spoke for the Military Officers Association of America.

Veteran advocates who work directly with Guard and reserve members urged inclusion of long-serving drilling reservists. Cassandra Sullivan, a former National Guard member, described a typical six-year enlistment and said the bills would extend parity to people who completed multi-year reserve commitments even if they were not federally activated.

Committee members and witnesses discussed trade-offs. Several testifiers and legislators noted fiscal and eligibility consequences if the state adopts a broader definition, and some veterans said a wider statutory definition could complicate access and funding for existing benefits. \"Consistency is important,\" the committee chair observed while asking witnesses to consolidate technical proposals and supporting data for follow-up work.

No vote was taken. Committee members requested additional written materials and counts of people who would become newly eligible under the bills. The committee will consider the sponsors' language and submitted exhibits before reporting recommendations to the legislature.

","A joint veterans committee heard hours of testimony urging changes to Massachusetts General Laws to align the state\u0000definition of \"veteran\" with federal and uniformed-services practice, including recognition of U.S. Public Health Service and NOAA commissioned officers and certain reserve-component service.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5967154,"Gold Star advocates urge Massachusetts to adopt Honor and Remember flag as state symbol",178,779000,957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d&start=779&end=957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d/thumbnail_779000.jpg","/articles/5967154/Massachusetts/Gold-Star-advocates-urge-Massachusetts-to-adopt-Honor-and-Remember-flag-as-state-symbol","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5967154-8a4d7b92a20ec2f117690694abe89023/orig.mp4?Expires=1773658332&Signature=MOuy2W09atL9GCkAB8R-axvaq4as8Rwai52cfHrUaj3TEf3Vru0OFk61NHFYeNSb~9auCtuI8lweOKSzMd7LlKQfCt2jd6oKagSw2Pf28MzhLzGngIPwVN2WjaKQW91yyIXLanFfSSDHk5SNv1DLWhXXVs8qXjegczg~W9dFiPe~AjJKu9EgqaPqj825DMVt3TO4GqeAxZc01MNdf61sAVapkorZKYBxRSvUQUCjw-4-QpaFCO90~1bxViTISt5-RuKFm~lOUW49XEdzDs~QR0doRfA3ASc5j8TWNhGl51-ksUSZLiqI6m5Y-TU6GTkqSKB-smXmeidvlvarupW-aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the joint hearing, proponents urged passage of a measure to make the Honor and Remember flag an official state symbol recognizing Gold Star families and fallen service members.

Brian Miller testified in support of the petition labeled \"veil number 2500\" and described the flag's purpose: to honor Gold Star families who lost a loved one in combat or to service-related causes. He said 29 states have adopted the symbol and asked Massachusetts lawmakers to make the Commonwealth the 30th.

George Lutz, the father of a soldier killed in Iraq and the founder of the Honor and Remember flag movement, testified emotionally about his son's death and the flag's origins. \"What I continue to carry in my mind is that every parent in America would rather somebody else die for their country,\" Lutz said. He described unveiling the emblem on Memorial Day 2008 and said state recognition would be a visible acknowledgment to families who sacrificed.

Committee members thanked Lutz and other witnesses. No formal action was taken at the hearing; members indicated the testimony would remain part of the bill record.

","Proponents asked the committee to make the Honor and Remember flag an official state symbol to recognize Gold Star families; George Lutz, founder of the movement, gave emotional testimony about his son's death and national spread of the flag.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5967158,"Merchant Marine advocates ask Massachusetts to recognize mariners at cemeteries, State House and with medal",213,462000,675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d&start=462&end=675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d/thumbnail_462000.jpg","/articles/5967158/Massachusetts/Merchant-Marine-advocates-ask-Massachusetts-to-recognize-mariners-at-cemeteries-State-House-and-with-medal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5967158-111de50e98520e6e64ba27a95b134e4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773658332&Signature=Db1MYf5gpywJWIkGdh8HTbfxG1a-6UOpM4Y-cWiGHjtHHy4UsIPLAUiODLvJAMzs83kIM5c1c6QDyQhdvBGDO9~YxcQnkIGe6KRicCXrHNTAindnmycmJqTNEDc7Ssu4jo1bSzunc2AOyJ7HLMVXbpW1oYuJJrft7KhlOm-CWNqA5yCQSGtZcxHxhlL9055ua0RN~KVqx1HlUSro5HuETxA3~Oy4m~FXWUvclTiU3FI5S63uMEHFQC-Xq~LkVlCyNetzcWR2ZCVx4-4m0FgaiL~MXNDv0AcZfzF-X0p5ApQGiEGWwIGn6zmy3SoLy0UrNymJMEXo~lX7Z74APGIlDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Roger Mercaldi testified in support of Senate Bill S2498, which would 1) authorize display of the Merchant Marine flag at veterans cemeteries so Merchant Mariners may be buried with both the American flag and their service flag; 2) place the Merchant Marine flag in Memorial Hall (the Hall of Flags) at the State House; and 3) create a Massachusetts Merchant Mariner medal to recognize service in active war zones.

Mercaldi described the historical contribution and casualties of Merchant Mariners in World War II and later conflicts, saying some ships sailed unarmed into danger and suffering high casualty rates. \"The Merchant Mariners took the highest casualty rate of any of the armed services,\" he testified, and he asked the committee to move the bill to honor mariners' service and sacrifice.

Committee members thanked him for the testimony. No formal action was taken at the hearing; the bill was logged for further consideration.

","Roger Mercaldi testified for Senate Bill S2498, proposing that the Merchant Marine flag be displayed at veterans cemeteries and in the State House and that Massachusetts create a Merchant Mariner medal to honor those who served in war zones.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5967159,"Advocate asks state to place marker honoring three Medal of Honor recipients from War on Terror",108,311000,419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d&start=311&end=419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5873032-50be560d9afc8de1b0ecd3e2098cd97d/thumbnail_311000.jpg","/articles/5967159/Massachusetts/Advocate-asks-state-to-place-marker-honoring-three-Medal-of-Honor-recipients-from-War-on-Terror","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5967159-8ee4dde9aa85a54cb719cfe12d1ae49f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773658332&Signature=B0KRbgIHeD~-RqilrhoK5v32EvVesgmp29EwLxINaYcjE5rhBl-kRipgQ7d~SSPW5PtGFhA5edgx-QhMq2lsgIjZh9D1-3YnbOPetVYo6wU0hEjbA6TiBsmyUpiFcoX32o0VNTDmjH6PM-NdDCZLJwsteD~-bOGFdqiItIhLPkz7FXxWJwz4CDfktS5p7kE7yNPLRCeQj3WNcnNwFd5q0p7WLnc6vhCCXnGWy4ZarSVcam-CToejGaxTR3xcvrJh5mMC6BeV-a7-gEhgFc3K3liHWoN5s7euRJXxOU4wzGfmoic836a~PPUrqHmr3Sfm6So31IJzc0gkpkuxb1Yy3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proponent told the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs he supports Senate Bill S2499, which would authorize an appropriate marker at the State House recognizing Medal of Honor recipients from the \"War on Terror.\"

Rich Barbato, testifying virtually, asked the committee to authorize design, fabrication and placement of a marker honoring three individuals he named as Medal of Honor recipients from recent conflicts. Barbato said the marker would \"stand as a testament that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts honors those who, in service of the Commonwealth and our great nation, have received the highest honor our country can bestow for valor on the battlefield,\" and asked the committee to consider timing the recognition for Memorial Day 2026.

Barbato cited prior state action creating commemorative plaques for Massachusetts Medal of Honor recipients and noted the commonwealth ranks highly in Medal of Honor recipients historically. Committee members thanked him for the testimony and did not take action at the hearing.

","Supporters asked the joint committee to authorize a plaque at the State House recognizing Massachusetts Medal of Honor recipients from the post-9/11 conflicts; the proponent named three recipients and urged completion by Memorial Day 2026.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Representative Arriaga seeks to add 'reserve components' to state flag-half-staff law after KIA

Committee hears broad push to expand Massachusetts—definition of "veteran" to include USPHS, NOAA and long-serving reservists

Gold Star advocates urge Massachusetts to adopt Honor and Remember flag as state symbol

Merchant Marine advocates ask Massachusetts to recognize mariners at cemeteries, State House and with medal

Advocate asks state to place marker honoring three Medal of Honor recipients from War on Terror