By Al Terminiello Jr.
Last Saturday morning, State Representative Jeff Turco was at the Winthrop Veterans Service Office located at the EB Newton School. His purpose was to bring 50 coats to be given out to Winthrop’s veterans. Winthrop’s Veterans Service Officer Phil Ronan greet the representative as well as a contingency of veterans. Coffee and donuts were offered to all, before Representative Turco spoke to the gathering, explaining where they came from, besides the 50 coats donated to Winthrop, Turco, along with Representative Jessica Giannino also delivered 100 coats to Revere’s Beachmont VFW Post 6712 a week ago.
Representative Turco explained that a grant from the Patriots Foundation in conjunction with Massachusetts Military Support Foundation made possible the obtaining the 150 coats for Winthrop and Revere veterans. Home Depot supplies their signature orange buckets with lids, because unfortunately some of the veterans in this country that they served valiantly are homeless, the buckets serve as a carry all for their possessions. Also included in the buckets of coats are much needed personal care items and sox.
There are other contributors as well, Massachusetts State Police, and Job Lots, whose logo also appears on the bucket label. It’s always a great thing when people and businesses step up and offer help to our nation’s heroes, these coats mean much to so many, just in time as the winter temperatures drop to freezing.
While all good for veterans was being discusses and a hearty thank you was given to the donors, there was also disturbing news in the Winthrop community. Memorial plaques, dedicated to Winthrop deceased veterans for their service to county and community were being torn down, broken, and discarded along the streets. Behavior like this is unacceptable and brings dishonor to our veterans that severed with distinction. So far, just two, one at the corner of Lewis Terrace and Lewis Ave, in memory of LTC. Louis G. Maglio -US ARMY, the second, at Buchanan and Freemont Streets, in memory of S/SGT. Libero “Lee” Laura- US ARMY. Anyone having any information please come forward by contacting VSO Phil Ronan at 617-846-3065, your information will be kept confidential. Also, anyone seeing any further destruction please notify the Winthrop Police.
The Winthrop Veterans Service Office is working diligently to get the signs of these heroes put back in place as soon as possible.