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Massachusetts marks first Military Appreciation Day; leaders highlight HERO Act, veterans housing and defense investments
Summary
State leaders gathered at the Massachusetts State House on May 22 for the inaugural Military Appreciation Day, praising the HERO Act, recent investments in veterans homes and housing, and the economic footprint of defense installations while honoring service members and Gold Star families.
Massachusetts officials and military leaders gathered at the Massachusetts State House on May 22 for the first annual Military Appreciation Day, where speakers highlighted recent state legislation and investments aimed at supporting veterans, military families and veterans housing.
The event brought together Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans Services John Santiago and Senate President Karen Spilka, among others, to recognize honorees and outline ongoing priorities for veteran services.
The gathering emphasized recent policy and budget work. Senate President Karen Spilka said the HERO Act signed by the governor "provides the most far reaching benefits in the entire country out of all of our states," describing expanded recognition of service members and steps to broaden benefits and behavioral-health access for veterans and their families.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll highlighted the economic link between defense installations and the state, saying, "Our bases generate billions in total annual economic activity and support more than 50,000 jobs across the state." Driscoll and other speakers said the federal government has invested heavily in Massachusetts military installations in recent years.
Secretary John Santiago and Deputy Secretary Andrea Gail Bennett framed the event as part ceremony and part policy reminder, noting work on veterans homes, efforts to end veteran homelessness and partnerships with veterans service organizations. Speakers cited modernizing veterans homes and continued budget support as evidence of the commonwealth's commitments.
Keynote speaker General Joseph Dunford praised Massachusetts' veteran programs and stressed the link between public support and future recruitment and retention, describing how visible state leadership signals priorities to service members and families.
The program also included personal tributes to longtime veterans. Secretary Santiago and others singled out Massachusetts residents such as Rocco Talisi, a World War II veteran and East Boston mentor who recently turned 100, and Corporal Charles Sanderson of Lunenburg, described in remarks as 101 and still active in restoring Model Ts.
The event was ceremonial; no formal motions, votes or policy directives were taken during the program. Honorees nominated by state senators and representatives were read aloud and photographed on the grand staircase following the ceremony.
Organizers said the day is intended to be recurring and to reinforce the state's ongoing work on veterans' housing, homelessness prevention and benefits expansion.
