Lowell Veterans Commission outlines banner, recognition and school outreach plans

Chairman Paul Paradise said the Lowell Veterans Commission will begin accepting nominations for a "veteran of the quarter" recognition and a banner program to honor local veterans and first responders, and that the group hopes to have a framework in place by the summer.

The recognition push aims to capture a wide scope of community contributions: "If you work in Lowell and you've done work for Lowell, that is also a qualifier," a commission member said, describing eligibility to include veterans, first responders, nurses and others who have contributed to the city. Paradise said he wants the commission to start nominations and outreach soon and asked members to help identify potential honorees.

Members discussed how to publicize the program. Paradise proposed using the city’s existing social media channels rather than a commission-run personal page, and Speaker 2 advised consulting the municipal MIS office and the city's social media manager to ensure compliance. "They will put it out on the city's page if you send it directly to the social media person," Speaker 2 said.

To recruit nominees and engage younger residents, one commissioner proposed a school-based activity framed as "My Favorite Veteran," featuring drawings and short essays instead of a contest to avoid winners-and-losers. Speaker 3 said the exercise could produce stories the commission could use for banners and community recognition.

The commission agreed to prioritize volunteer-based nominees (rather than selections that are clearly part of someone's paid job duties) and to reach out to university and community contacts for suggestions. A member volunteered to email "Ted" to help identify UMass Lowell contacts.

Paradise said the commission aims to have nomination procedures and outreach channels ready by summer, with the goal of naming an initial honoree shortly thereafter.