First-ever Military Appreciation Day at the State House
BOSTON (WWLP) – The governor held a second veterans event Thursday, honoring the military ahead of Memorial Day.
Hundreds of veterans came to Beacon Hill on Thursday to commemorate the first-ever Military Appreciation Day at the State House.
The state's highest lawmakers and military members, and their families, gathered in the House Chambers to be recognized. To show the state's appreciation, 135 veterans received governor's citations after being nominated by local legislators, including veterans and military spouses from Springfield, Northampton, and elsewhere.
The governor spoke about what her team is doing to improve veteran welfare in the Bay State. 'You think about the resurgence of the Chelsea and Holyoke Soldiers' home, you think about our commitment to end veteran homelessness in the state, that is work that we all do together,' said Gov. Healey.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs spoke about the significance of this event, the first in the state, in ensuring veterans are given the honor and respect they earned with their service. While Massachusetts' veteran suicide rates are lower than the national average, state lawmakers are working on increasing mental health resources and awareness to lower rates further.
'We felt that it was important to honor the fallen with a reminder that their legacy continues with the work of the living,' said Jon Santiago. Other state initiatives include housing and transportation assistance, community building, and transition assistance.
Military celebrations and ceremonies will continue across the state through the weekend, and on Monday's Memorial Day.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
‘I'm in the water.' 911 calls reveal moments after deadly Broward boat explosion
A flurry of newly released 911 calls shed light on a chaotic and fatal boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day. Some callers witnessed watching the blast from the shore; others were in the water screaming for help. On May 26, a 39-foot Sea Ray burst into flames in the Intracoastal Waterway, near the large sandbar by the New River. Fourteen people were aboard, but only eleven people — including two young children — were hospitalized with injuries. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's burn unit in Miami, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says Among the injured, Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old who lived in Fort Lauderdale, died from his injuries. One of the first 911 callers witnessed the blast from the Lauderdale Yacht Club and described the loud explosion, followed by flames and billowing smoke, according to the latest release from Fort Lauderdale Police Department. 'These people flew off the boat,' he said in the call. 'I just saw these people panicking and in the water.' Another caller on a different vessel reported that people were jumping off the sinking boat to the dispatcher. She also began screaming over to them, 'Get off the boat!' One call began with screams and crying, followed by a woman desperately telling dispatchers, 'I'm in the water.' The woman continued to say there was a 'marine emergency' as a boat was on fire. Of those on board, she said there was a passed-out passenger and a pet. 'We're all separated,' she said, adding that nearby boaters were helping them as several people had been burned. 'We have kids on board.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Advocates push for override of governor's veto on repealing ‘free kill' law
Advocates are pushing state lawmakers to override Gov. Ron DeSantis' veto of a bill to repeal the state's so-called 'free kill' law. The bill would have repealed the controversial law that blocks some families from suing if they lose a loved one to medical negligence. One of those protesting the veto was Daryl Perritt, whose son died from a blood clot six months ago. He blames the doctors and hospital, as well as the state. "Because of this law, I can't require, demand or get any answer as to why they waited nearly four days to perform that surgery. Had they performed the surgery in the first 24 hours or 48 hours, he would be here with me today," Perritt. He and others have fought to have it repealed, and they came close when the Legislature voted in favor of getting rid of the 30-year-old law. But DeSantis vetoed it last week, saying it would increase hiring costs for Floridians and make it harder to hire and retain doctors in the state. But that hasn't stopped Perritt's fight. It fueled it. He spent thousands of dollars on billboards calling out DeSantis and lawmakers who don't support a repeal. The hope is that the Legislature will override the veto. It will take a two-thirds vote in the State House and Senate to do so. Lawmakers have said a veto is up for discussion. They think there may be enough votes in the House but not the Senate. Lawmakers are back in Tallahassee, working on the budget. Perritt will be meeting with lawmakers to tell them how important an override will be. 'I don't need money. I need my son. And since I can't have my son, I need answers. That's all. I just need answers to why my son is dead. I don't think that's too much to ask,' he said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Helix Human Services holds Pride flag-raising ceremony in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – June is Pride Month, a time for celebrating and empowering the LGBTQ+ community. One local organization marked the occasion with a special flag-raising ceremony. The Springfield nonprofit Helix Human Services hosted the flag-raising on Tuesday as a colorful symbol of inclusion, acceptance, and hope. DCR partners with local LGBTQ+ organizations to host Pride Hikes in Mass. Despite progress made in recent years, the LGBTQ+ community still faces political attacks and discrimination. This event is just one example of how Helix is working towards creating safe spaces and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. It's also helping to build resilience and strength amongst the LGBTQ+ community. 'I think now today it's incredibly important to make sure that we recognize individuals,' said Helix Human Services CEO Mark Paglia. 'And under the climate we live in every day, celebrate individuals, celebrate who they are and who they want to be.' Helix has started programs and services for the LGBTQ plus community. This includes their SHARP residential program which is a safe home for young adults to support youth who've experienced trauma with moderate to severe mental-health and behavioral-health challenges and may be struggling with their personal identity. And during this event, the non-profit also celebrated 160 years of serving the Springfield community. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
