Andrew Biggio honored with Tom Hudner Valor Award; Soldier On and veterans recognized at State House ceremony
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Summary
The State House Veterans Day ceremony featured awards for veterans and veteran-serving organizations: Andrew Biggio received the Tom Hudner Valor Award and Soldier On won the Captain Kelly Community Engagement Award. Treasurer Deb Goldberg described returning six Purple Hearts recovered by the unclaimed property division.
BOSTON — At the Commonwealth’s Veterans Day ceremony, state officials presented awards to veterans and nonprofit organizations and recounted efforts to reunite service medals with families.
The Tom Hudner Valor Award — named for Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr. and honoring extraordinary courage — was presented to Andrew Biggio, a Marine Corps veteran, Boston police officer and founder of the Boston Wounded Vet Motorcycle Run. Biggio has raised funds for wounded veterans and authored a collection of veterans’ stories.
Soldier On, a Massachusetts-based nonprofit focused on ending veteran homelessness, received the Captain Kelly Community Engagement Award for work on housing and wraparound services. The organization’s CEO, Bruce Buckley, was invited to accept the award.
Treasurer Deb Goldberg described the work of the Treasury’s unclaimed property division in locating and returning six Purple Hearts, including one medal that was returned to a nursing-home resident in Fitchburg. She recounted the story of Sergeant T.P. Flynn (born Aug. 27, 1896), whose Purple Heart was delivered to family members; Goldberg said the act of returning the medals ‘‘was truly meaningful.’’
Why it matters: Awards and medal restorations are both public recognition and symbolic acts that reconnect veterans and families with military honors and community support programs. Soldier On’s recognition highlights ongoing statewide efforts to end veteran homelessness.
Other context from the ceremony: The event also included an artistic display of veterans’ work in the Governor’s Office and examples of local volunteer programs that provide free meals and veteran outings.
Quote: "These hearts are more than symbols. They're reminders of courage, sacrifice, and dedication," Treasurer Deb Goldberg said when describing the returned Purple Hearts.
Next steps: The awards recognize current work by nonprofit partners and veterans; organizers and agencies may publicize program details and volunteer opportunities separately.