Walsh appoints Santiago as Commissioner of Veterans' Services for City of Boston

(BOSTON - Wednesday, May 1, 2019) - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the appointment of Robert Santiago as Commissioner of Veterans' Services for the City of Boston. Santiago will be the first Puerto Rican and LGBTQ Veterans' Commissioner in the City's history.

"I am proud to name Robert as the next Commissioner of Veterans' Services, taking on an important role by making sure veterans in our city are well-supported and know that their service to our country will always be appreciated," said Mayor Walsh. "Robert has proudly served our nation, and has shown through his work over the last three years that his commitment to serving our veterans in Boston is unwavering."

In 2016, Santiago joined the City of Boston as Deputy Commissioner at the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Services. Prior to joining the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Services, Santiago served 20 years in the Navy in diverse duty stations including sea duty on four warships; and overseas tours in Belgium, Puerto Rico, Panama, and Japan. Santiago participated in Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Eastern Exit, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. His final duty station was in Boston onboard America's Ship of State, the USS CONSTITUTION which is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. He retired from military service in 2008 while onboard USS CONSTITUTION.

"I am grateful to Mayor Walsh for this opportunity to serve the veterans of Boston," said Santiago. "I remain dedicated to promoting the Mayor's agenda to serving all veterans no matter the zip code, status, or orientation."

Santiago is on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts Veterans Services Officer Association and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Santiago is also a member of the leadership team for the Homes for the Brave initiative which is part of the Mayors' Challenge to end Veterans' homelessness. He currently resides in Jamaica Plain with his husband, Robert Torres.

Formerly led by Commissioner Giselle Sterling, the Mayor's Office of Veterans' Services strives to recognize and engage our veterans and their families; advocate for assistance in their time of need, and connect them with the services they've earned.

The primary program of OVS is known as Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 115 and facilitated through the local Veteran Service Officer. Chapter 115 acts as financial help for veterans experiencing homelessness and low-income Veterans and their families. These benefits also include military burial assistance, subsidies on medical expenses and the decoration of veterans' graves and hero squares for Memorial Day. OVS also hosts Operation Thank a Vet, a program for volunteers to canvass identified Boston Veterans to thank them for their service and share information about critical resources that are available to them from the city, state and federal government.

To date, an average of 10,000 veterans receives financial assistance each month from the Department of Veterans' Services in Massachusetts with approximately 450 from OVS, the most in the Commonwealth. Through the Operation Thank a Vet program, the City has spoken to over 1,500 veterans and thanked them for their service as well as informing them of critical City services and resources.

May 9 "They Fought We Ride" for Wounded Vet Run

 

http://www.theyfoughtweride.com

James Aloisi WWI vet travels to D.C. via Honor Flight NE

Source: Carol Ann Aloisi

James Aloisi, Sr., a longtime East Boston Resident was among a group of World War II Veterans that were taken by Honor Flight New England to visit the World War II Memorial and other memorials in Washington, D.C. Accompanying each veteran was a volunteer, or guardian (family member or program volunteer), who traveled at his or her own expense and offered assistance to the veteran throughout the trip. In addition to visiting the World War II Memorial, the veterans observed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and visited the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam Memorial Wall.  The day drew to a close with visits to the Marine Memorial and then to the site of the Air Force Memorial, with its panoramic views of the city and soaring arches. The Honor Flight group returned to Baltimore and then flew on to Boston after a full, active day.

“What an amazing experience it was to see this memorial and to be recognized and honored for our service to this Country, I can’t thank the people at Honor Flight enough for all they did for me and all they continue to do for all the Veterans of WWII said Mr. Aloisi.

Their day began at Boston's Logan International Airport, the State Police, the Massport fire and emergency staff, the TSA staff, Southwest Airlines staff, and other airport staff greeted the veterans warmly and provided comfortable and supportive arrangements as needed. Arriving at BWI airport in Baltimore, the Honor Flight group was greeted by a large celebratory welcoming crowd and then transported by buses to Washington DC.   When they returned to Baltimore to fly home the group organized a dance right in the airport terminal with music from the WWII era.


Honor Flight New England is part of the national organization Honor Flight Network and is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all of their sacrifices. Through generous donations veterans have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials at no personal expense. Top priority is given to the senior veterans – World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill. The program is recognized as a concrete way of expressing gratitude for the service and sacrifice of US military men and women.  Since 2009 HFNE has given over 900 veterans the opportunity to visit their memorials in the nation's capital.  If you know of a WWII Veteran that wants to travel to DC to see their monument or if you would like to be a Guardian to a Veteran on one of their trips please contact this amazing organization at honorflightnewengland.org or call them at 603-518-5368