I went to the 2019 Greater Boston Stand Down put on by the New England Center and Home for Veterans. I met some nurses from the Greater VA Medical Center and they started getting me right. Good stuff.
The Nurses Got Me!
Sponsor Information
Thanks to my sponsors Joyce Asack and Mark Holmes for supporting Veterans!
I really admire the mission of the New England Center and Home for Veterans. Their mission focus is to serve a segment of the Veteran population that is disadvantaged – homeless Veterans. However, in recent years the Center has transformed into a place that serves all Veterans. It was great seeing all the people come out to support NECHV during their 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala.
Really enjoyed Bill Brett’s writeup about the Gala. I am extremely happy to see all the support for the Center and their mission as well. I am already looking forward to 2019!
Chatham Coast Guard Rowing out to save 32 Americans
Once again, I found out how little I know about World War One. I had no idea that a German U-Boat attacked an American tug boat and four barges. On July 21st, 1918 off the coast of Orleans a German surfaced and began shelling the tug boat Perth Amboy. I based this podcast off the Mass Moments Website (https://www.massmoments.org/moment-details/german-u-boat-attacks-cape-cod.html).
The Chatham Coast Guard rowed wooden boats in the middle of the U-Boat attack to rescue crew, their wives and children. I had never heard about this until recently. This is the kind of subject I wanted to cover for my World War One Series.
Perth Amboy Sunk
Upcoming Events
Big thanks to Davide Henke, Veterans Outreach Coordinator for the VA Boston System for providing these upcoming events to check out.
The North Shore Veterans Collaborative Bi-Monthly Meeting:
October 18, 2018 @ 6:30pm – Portuguese American War Vets Club; 103 Tremont St., Peabody, MA 01960
Vets In Tech Training – 22-26 October – Boston – there a few slots left in the cybersecurity course. Veterans and spouses can attend and they cover the tuition / course materials. Go to:
Or contact Christopher Starling, VetsinTech, 415-713-0722
Hire a Veteran Month Kick Off at the Massachusetts State House: October 31st – Members of all Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce, Workforce Development Boards and Businesses in the Massachusetts area are invited to discuss veteran’s programs within the Commonwealth. One of the primary focuses of this event will be the Department of Labor’s Veteran’s Medallion Program to employers, along with other resources available to Businesses in hiring veterans. Event showcases the Commonwealth’s Workforce System re-branding to implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). All of their work has culminated into One Vision, One Mission and One Name bringing the Commonwealth’s Workforce System into a new era based on Collaboration, Respect, Reliability and Ingenuity.
About a year ago I started studying different aspects of World War One. Over one million Indians served the British in World War One.
Come to find out, I haven’t even scratched this surface on India’s involvement in World War One and World War Two. I like to think of myself as fair military historian. I am not expert by any means, but I used to consider myself pretty knowledgeable. My knowledge about World War One and India’s involvement was woefully inadequate.
In the mid 1700s Britain began expanding and grabbing territory in India. It took almost 200 years for India to regain its independence as a country. Britain declared war on Germany on behalf of India, and so started road to independence won by blood.
Great Britain desperately needed troops to help with the war effort. Indian units served in Africa on the Western Front and other places. The Indians, comprised of Gurkas, Sikhs, Bengalis, and Punjabs were fearsome fighters. One such example was Khudadad Khan. He was the first Southeast Asian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. (Story of Khudadad Khan) He was a machine gunner who manned a machine gun even while his fellow soldiers were killed and the gun was rendered inoperable by German forces.
I began talking my Indian colleagues at work about World War One. I discovered that they were extremely proud of their grandfather’s and great grandfather’s service. The pride in their eyes as they talked about how their service and sacrifice helped restore India as an independent country was something I don’t see a lot anymore.
There is so much to learn about our history and World War One. I realize I have a lot to learn. However, taking the time to dig into this really put things into perspective. I hope that we never forget what these brave soldiers did for their country.
I wanted to bring some attention to a great organization in Boston – New England Center and Home for Veterans. Check out their 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala here –> 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala
All these items were in use at one time, even the signs.
I got invited to check out a private military collection. This was to support a project I am working on for the New England Center and Home for Veterans. The team needed some research done on World War One. Gary, who is a Marine Veteran, was gracious enough to allow me to come see what he had been doing.
I walked into the area and had to pause for a minute. I had been to plenty of military museums before, but this was the first time I had seen items like this up close and personal. This was the first time where someone other than a tour guide was telling me stories about each item. Many of these items had a personal story behind them.
Gary told me about a uniform that actually belonged to his father. His father’s story as an 18 year old kid working on a landing craft for D-Day. He told me about items his father wore and I could see a look of pride in his eye has he talked about that time.
However, it was during the podcast that this experience came in focus for me. He talked about another group that came and looked at the collection. One of the viewers said that there must be a lot of ghosts in these rooms. Gary looked at me and told me that there were, “No Ghosts Here”. This is not a place for ghosts he said, it is place of dignity. Where the deeds of those who went before us are kept alive.
I spent a lot of time reflecting on that thought as I prepared this podcast. I want to thank Gary and his son for taking the time to talk with me and show me something truly remarkable. Memories can be kept alive as long as we choose remember with dignity those who have gone before us.
Two pictures showing how Camp Edwards (Now Otis Air Base) changed in a year during WWII
I really admire the mission of the New England Center and Home for Veterans. Their mission focus is to serve a segment of the Veteran population that is disadvantaged – homeless Veterans. However, in recent years the Center has transformed into a place that serves all Veterans. It was great seeing all the people come out to support NECHV during their 16th Annual Leave No One Behind Gala.
About a year ago I started studying different aspects of World War One. Over one million Indians served the British in World War One.
said that there must be a lot of ghosts in these rooms. Gary looked at me and told me that there were, “No Ghosts Here”. This is not a place for ghosts he said, it is place of dignity. Where the deeds of those who went before us are kept alive.
