Massachusetts leaders mark Veterans Day, unveil $47M defense investment and VA legacy trail
Loading...
Summary
State leaders honored veterans at the Massachusetts State House on Veterans Day, announced a $47 million 'Shield' defense-sector investment, launched the MA250 Veterans Legacy Trail cataloging more than 1,200 memorials, and presented awards to veterans and nonprofits working to end veteran homelessness.
Deputy Secretary Andrea Gail Bennett opened the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Veterans Day ceremony at the State House and called attendees to honor service members and their families.
Secretary of Veterans Services John Santiago highlighted department accomplishments in recent years, including advances in veterans homes and the passage of the HEROIC veterans legislation, and said the Commonwealth is “investing in veteran services more than we ever have before.”
Governor Maura Healey announced a new state initiative to strengthen the defense sector, saying, “We re investing $47,000,000 in this sector this year to create jobs and to grow companies that support our men and women in uniform.” The governor described the investment as funding for a Massachusetts strategic hub to accelerate defense-related innovation and job growth.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll introduced the MA250 Veterans Legacy Trail, an interactive, searchable map the administration said catalogs more than 1,200 war memorials across the state to help residents locate and preserve local memorials.
Treasurer Deb Goldberg described returning six Purple Hearts found in unclaimed property records and told the story of Sergeant Thomas P. Flynn, including the dates of his service and discharge, as an example of reconnecting families with veterans’ records and honors. "These hearts are more than symbols," Goldberg said.
The ceremony included awards recognizing veterans and veteran-serving organizations. The Tom Hudner Valor Award was presented to Andrew Biggio, a Marine Corps veteran and Boston police officer known for founding the Wounded Vet Motorcycle Run and authoring The Rifle. The Captain Tom Kelly Community Engagement Award went to Soldier On; CEO Bruce Buckley accepted the honor for the nonprofit’s work on housing and wraparound services for veterans.
Event programming also highlighted community efforts: organizers cited Martin's restaurant in Abington (which has served more than 3,000 free veteran breakfasts since 2022), local meal programs serving over 300 meals a month, and veteran fishing trips that connected dozens of veterans this year.
The ceremony concluded with branch songs and a formal adjournment at the State House.
The event combined remembrance and recognition with policy announcements and community accolades; no formal votes or motions were recorded during the ceremony.
