Senator Jason Lewis announced an upcoming conversation he will hold with Massachusetts’ Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs, Francisco Ureña. This is event entitled, “Community Conversations: Supporting Our Veterans in the Commonwealth,” will take place on Wednesday, March 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Galvin Middle School, 525 Main Street, Wakefield It is free and open to the public. In addition to Secretary Ureña’s remarks, several organizations will be on hand to provide information about programs, services, and benefits available to veterans and their families, including: the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford; The Career Place in Woburn; and, representatives from the state Treasurer’s office with information about its Veterans’ Bonus program.
This forum will offer the chance to hear directly from one of our Commonwealth’s chief policy setters and advocates regarding landmark legislation passed and priorities for the future pertaining to our veteran population. There will be ample opportunity for Q&A from attendees. The forum is sponsored by Senator Lewis in coordination with the Veterans’ Service Officers for each of the six communities of the 5th Middlesex Senate district: Malden (Kevin Jarvis), Melrose (Alicia Reddin), Reading (Kevin Bohmiller), Stoneham (Jim Devlin), Wakefield (Karen Burke), and Winchester (Al Wile). There will also be a variety of service providers on hand with information regarding programs, services, and benefits for veterans and their families.
“Massachusetts has made veterans benefits a top priority in recent years, with the passage of VALOR I, VALOR II, and the HOME Act, and we want to make sure that our courageous veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much know about and have access to all of the benefits and programs to which they’re entitled,” noted Senator Lewis. “I hope that this conversation offers veterans and other residents more in-depth knowledge of the services available and where our veterans can turn if and when challenges arise. The conversations I have directly with constituents across the district are the best source of information and guidance to help me do my job in the legislature.”
“Community Conversations” forums have been held in all six communities of the 5th Middlesex district on topics including: public education; public transportation; small business and entrepreneurship; challenges facing senior citizens and caregivers; energy policy and environmental priorities, and, efforts to combat substance abuse and opioid addiction in our region.
