Veterans Services News
FREE WORKSHOPS: REGISTER ONLINE AT DOL.GOV/OBTTWORKSHOPS
For more information or questions, email VETS-OBTT@dol.gov
Northeast Passage provides recreational programing for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members from all eras and of all ability levels. We have many opportunities including winter activities. Come join us this year for Pickle Ball, Archery, Fly Tying, and more. Activities are provided at no cost to Veterans & Members of the Armed Forces through funding from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a partnership with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Operation Hat Trick and local organizations.
Winter Activity Schedule and registration:
Do you know, or are you, a Veteran or surviving spouse local to North Andover or Boxford who would like a ready-to-heat Thanksgiving dinner?
Please contact Veteran Services for North Andover and Boxford at 978-688-9525 by November 14th if you are interested. Meals will be delivered on November 20th, 2021.
Thank you to Paul Iannuccillo’s office for their generous support.
 Updates on USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG 116) Thank you for joining us on December 1, 2018 at Raymond Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal for the commissioning of USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG 116). It is hard to believe it has already been three years since the THOMAS HUDNER set sail from General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for the final time on October 10, 2018 to head for its homeport of Mayport, Florida. We would like to share some highlights of the THOMAS HUDNER’s recent service with you. We would also like to share some exciting news with you about the next US Navy ship to be commissioned in Boston.  USS THOMAS HUDNER sails down the Kennebec River toward the Atlantic Ocean after departing General Dynamics Bath Iron Works on October 10, 2018. Photograph by Committee Vice Chair Brian C Miskell USS THOMAS HUDNER participated in Operation Nanook in 2020. Operation Nanook is a Canadian-led multi-national exercise in the Artic Ocean. During the exercise, the crew of THOMAS HUDNER held their first line-crossing ceremony with the sailors joining the Order of the Blue Nose. You can read more about their participation in Operation Nanook by clicking here and can read about the line-crossing ceremony by clicking here.  Royal Danish Navy THETIS-class frigate HDMS TRITON (F358), front, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG 116), transit Godthab’s Fjord, Aug. 13, 2020.THOMAS HUDNER participates in Canadian Operation Nanook alongside U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian, French, and Danish Allies to enhance their Arctic capabilities, and meet the requirements outlined in each nation’s respective defense policies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Sara Eshleman/Released) USS THOMAS HUDNER recently completed its first deployment. From February-July 2021, THOMAS HUDNER deployed as part of the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group in the 5th Fleet and 6th Fleet areas of operations. One of the squadrons serving onboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) during this deployment was VFA-32, the Fighting Swordsman, the same squadron that Captain Hudner and Ensign Brown served in during the Korean War. To read more about the Ship’s first deployment, please click here.  (From left to right) Guided-missile destroyer USS MITSCHER (DDG 57), guided-missile cruiser USS MONTEREY (CG 61), guided-missile destroyer USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG 116), and aircraft carrier DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) operate in formation in the Arabian Sea, April 24. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations and conducting naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jeremy R. Boan) In late-September, the U.S. Navy established Task Force Greyhound during a ceremony held aboard USS THOMAS HUDNER. This new task force will help protect against Russian submarine threats along the East Coast. USS THOMAS HUDNER is one of the first ships assigned to this new task force. Click here to read more about the establishment of Task Force Greyhoud.  Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander of Naval Surface Force Atlantic, speaks during a livestream to introduce the Task Group Greyhound Initiative (TGG) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS THOMAS HUDNER (DDG 116). Task Group Greyhound (TGG) is a force generation (pilot) initiative, inside the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP) construct, designed to provide the Fleet with predictable, continuously ready, and fully certified warships ready to accomplish the full range of fleet tasking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Lau/Released) The support you provided to the Commissioning Committee in preparation for the festivities in 2018 continues to make a difference in the lives of USS THOMAS HUDNER’s crew today through contributions the Commissioning Committee made to support both the Ship’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) fund and the Ship’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) as well as an endowed scholarship through the Anchor Scholarship Foundation. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome the USS THOMAS HUDNER back to Boston at some point in the future! Preparing to Commission USS NANTUCKET (LCS 27)! Planning efforts are already underway to commission the next US Navy ship in Boston. USS NANTUCKET (LCS 27), a FREEDOM-class littoral combat ship, is under construction in Marinette, Wisconsin at Fincantierri Marinette Marine. Named in honor of the long maritime history of Nantucket, the Ship was recently christened by Ship’s Sponsor Polly Spencer on August 7, 2021. A committee chaired by CDR Robert S. Gerosa, Jr., USN (Ret.), 74th Commanding Officer of “Old Ironsides,” is working on plans to commission the Ship in Boston within the next 18-24 months and working with community groups on Nantucket to establish strong, long-lasting relationships between the residents of Nantucket and the Ship and her crew. To learn more about the USS NANTUCKET and sign-up for updates about commissioning plans, please visit www.ussnantucket.org.  PCU NANTUCKET is launched at Fincantierri Marinette Marine on August 7, 2021. Courtestyof Lockheed Martin.  Sailors assigned to USS Constitution preform a Color Guard for the crest unveiling of the Freedom class littoral combat ship USS NANTUCKET (LCS 27). (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua Samoluk/Released) |
The Patriotic Observance Committee invites you to join them for the
MERRIMACK VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
FREE Veterans Recognition Breakfast Program
Keynote Speaker: FRANCISCO URENA
Veteran United States Marine Corps
Former MA Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Former Veterans Service Officer for the Cities of Boston and Lawrence
And a Panel of Veteran Entrepreneurs
*Salvatore DeFranco – Co-Owner Battle Grounds Coffee Co.,Veteran Navy SEAL
*Cal Williams – MV Director, United Way – Veteran Marine Corps
*Luis Yepez – COO, Mainstream Global – Navy Commander, Retired
and
Special Presentation of the MV Chamber of Commerce
US Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo Memorial Award
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Salvatore’s at the Riverwalk, Lawrence Entrance B
PLEASE REGISTER AT WWW.MERRIMACKVALLEYCHAMBER.COM OR BY CALLING 978.686.0900
