Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2020 Everett still honors veterans despite pandemic By Christopher Roberson D espite the ongoing challenges that have defined 2020, city and state officials took time out to remember those who have proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces. “Today, we can pause from the chaos,” said State Representative Joseph McGonagle during the virtual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11. McGonagle said Massachusetts still provides the best veteran benefits in the country. He said that can be attributed to the BRAVE Act (Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment Act) that was passed in August 2018 as well as a $190 million facility at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home. “But we still have a long way to go,” he said, adding that several veterans at the Chelsea and Holyoke Soldiers’ Homes have been lost to COVID-19. “We must serve and protect our veterans as they served and protected us.” During her keynote address, Army Colonel Andrea Gayle-Bennett spoke about being deployed for four months in the Iraqi desert. “The worst part wasn’t war, the worst part was being away from my family,” she said. Gayle-Bennett said deployments are particularly difficult on children as they must constantly live with the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not their mother or father will be coming home. “The price of freedom is high,” she said. Mayor Army Colonel Carlo DeMaria Andrea Gayle-Bennett State Representative Joseph McGonagle Navy Veteran Ray Lepore Marine Veteran Ernest Lariviere Navy Veteran Angelo Fiorentino Mayor Carlo DeMaria recognized the countless men and women who have been engaged in the Global War on Terror since the United States came under attack in September 2001. “The United States has been fighting for 19 straight years without an end in sight,” he said. “From the botNavy Veteran David Fortin tom of my heart, thank you for your service.” In addition, the city highlighted a number of veterans, including Ray Lepore of the ~LETTER TO THE EDITOR~ Former city official speaks out against proposed Charter changes Dear Editor: I was a member of the City of Everett Government for eight years and it was an honor and privilege. I have great concern for the proposed changes that are being discussed. That the ward councillors would be voted for only in their respectHISTORY | FROM PAGE 8 I looked out to a line filled with people waiting two hours to vote. I pointed to the window and said, “We did FRAUD | FROM PAGE 9 Email and Text Messages The DUA will never ask for your ful wards! I attended the Charter Reform Committee meetings when we changed our form of government and I made my position known at that time... that the councillors-at-large and ward councillors were not only voting on matters that pertained to one ward but the it for them.” Athenians would agree. —Dr. Earl Tilford is a military historian and fellow for the Middle East & terrorism with the Institute for Faith and private personal information (Social Security Number, Bank Account, Credit Card, etc.) by email or text message. The DUA may send information entire city. Therefore, councillors are responsible to the entire city! Not only that, but the campaigning cost for a ward councillor would be much less and would require less work than an at-large councillor and they would receive the same salary in the amount of $25,000 per year! Freedom at Grove City College. He currently lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A retired Air Force intelligence officer, Dr. Tilford earned his PhD in American and European military histoby email or text message, but this information will always direct you to Mass.gov resources. If you suspect that you may be a victim of unemployment beneIn regards to the mayor being a member of the School Committee — a bad change! The School Committee has always been kept separate from city politicians as long as I have been in this city and for a very good reason. The reason is we always want the best education for ry at George Washington University. From 1993 to 2001, he served as Director of Research at the U.S. Army’s Strategic Studies Institute. In 2001, he left Government service for a fits fraud, you can complete a form to report it to the DUA that can be found at https://www.mass.gov/ forms/unemployment-fraud-reporting-form or reach the DUA our children and keeping politics out of is a must! The mayor, whoever he or she would be, has enough power in controlling our city affairs. Do not give the power of any mayor the control of their education! Sincerely, Sal Sachetta professorship at Grove City College, where he taught courses in military history, national security and international and domestic terrorism and counterterrorism. customer service department at 1-877-626-6800. Additionally, if you are an employer and you wish to report fraud, you can email your complaint to UIFraud@detma.org. Marine Veteran Rick LaPointe Navy, Ernest Lariviere of the Marines, Angelo Fiorentino of the Navy, David Fortin of the Navy and Rick LaPointe of the Marines.
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