Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 9, 2024 ~ Letter-to-the-Editor ~ Summer Block Party Fundraiser for Tunnel to Towers A Noble Cause By Sal Giarratani T his past Saturday, August 3, I found myself over at the Mottolo Post VFW 4524 for what turned out to be a great block party celebrating all that we have to be grateful for as Americans and to also help a cause close to the hearts of our veteran community, the Tunnel for Towers Foundation. We’ve seen their TV commercials and we have seen the work this organization out of Staten Island, NY has been and continues to do. Too often duty and sacrifice get forgotten. This organization has been there to help both first responders and our military veterans. In their hour of need, we need to be there for them and one way to do it is to help organizations like the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. This past Saturday was a great day to gather togethShown from left, author Andrew Biggio with block party organizers, Matt Cunningham and Anthony Cruciotti. er and have fun but also not to forget those who served and those who sacrificed their all and now could use our help. When people fall, we help them up. Kudos to Mottolo Post VFW 4524 helping to raise funds for this noble cause. We cannot forget. We won’t forget. Shown from left, are, Isaac McDaniel, Revere Director of Veterans Services (center) with Sal Giarratani, left, and Michael Leonard from the Abraham Lincoln GAR Post 11 in Charlestown. DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 1 individuals across the state who have served in the United States military, including nearly 30,000 women veterans and thousands of LGBTQ+ veterans. “I am excited to see this bill passed through both the House and Senate so we can invest in benefits and services that will improve lives for Veterans in my district and our state who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. “The HERO Act demonstrates our support for Veterans from all backgrounds by expanding our health care benefits and support services for service members and their families as well as bolstering initiatives to study PTSD and mental health treatments for Veterans across the state. I am grateful to Senate President Spilka and Senator John Velis for moving this essential package through legislative process.” This compromise legislation increases and simplifies benefits and opportunities, modernizes services, and promotes inclusivity for Massachusetts veterans while reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment to recognizing and serving all service members and their families. It increases benefits for disabled veterans and Gold Star family members, bolsters new and existing initiatives for municipalities and businesses to support veterans, creates comprehensive services for active-duty service members and military families, expands the scope of the Veterans Equality Review Board, updates the Chapter 115 definition of a veteran to expand eligibility, and codifies medical, behavioral health, and dental benefits. Further, it establishes new recognitions for military service in the Commonwealth and requires several working groups to review post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans, mental health treatments for veterans, and overall quality of life for veterans in Massachusetts. A compromise having passed the Legislature, the bill now goes to the Governor’s desk for her signature. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
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