Local Veterans read picture book, Heroes in Our Neighborhood, aloud to elementary school classes this week

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(photos Cape Ann Veterans Services)

This past week Cape Ann Veterans Services brought copies of the children’s picture book, Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood, and super volunteer readers, into our local Kindergarten, first and second grades to read aloud in the classes. Copies of the book were gifted to the classroom libraries. Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood ©2012 is by Valerie Pfundstein with illustrations by Aaron Anderson and foreword by John Vigiano Sr., a Marine Veteran and retired FDNY Captain, who honors his sons’ memories (both lost on 9/11) by volunteering his time and resources to Gold Star families and wounded heroes.

Volunteer readers at East Gloucester School: Members of the US Coast Guard Station, Gloucester, Navy/Veteran/Gloucester Police Department Officer Kevin Hicks and marine Corps Veteran Michael S. Grossi who read to his son’s class. 

Volunteer readers at West Parish: members of the the US Coast Guard Station  Gloucester; David Parisi Air Force Veteran who read to his daughter’s class; Marine Corps Veteran/State Trooper Tim Sova who read to his daughter’s clas; Coast Guard and Marine Veteran/deputy harbor master Chad Johnson; Vietnam War Marine Veteran Brian O’Connor; Army Veteran Anthony Trupiano who recently returned home; Ray Towns Army Veteran/commander of Gloucester Amvets; and Korean War Veteran Melvin Olson .

Volunteer readers at Plum Cove: Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services Francisco Urena, Marine Veteran; Trina Parisi-O’Donnell, Air Force Veteran whose son attends Plum Cove; Police Officer Brendan Chipperini and Vionette Vee Chipperini Army Veterans; Gloucester Sea Cadet Commander Robert Pallazolla Air Force Veteran; Police Officer Chris Frates Coast Guard Veteran; Richard J Cavanaugh, Army Veteran; and Devan Smith and Mike Pillelli of US Coast Guard Station, Gloucester

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Adam Curcuru telling Pauline Bresnahan and Anita Coullard Dziedziek about the book last month.

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Greg and Gold Star Mom Anita Coullard Dziedzic present a $2000 check to Cape Ann Veterans Services- honoring her son Sgt David J Coullard by helping returning veterans

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Anita sharing a photo of her son with Adam Curcuru, Director Cape Ann Veterans Services

Anita’s son David served in the Marine Corps and was killed in action on August 1, 2005. She and her husband, Greg,  help returning veterans. They spoke about her son and some of the projects they’ve supported. Good Morning Gloucester readers may remember Anita’s joy in finding a Paul Frontiero “Art, Rocks!”, and donating a flag to the Boulevard. Anita’s mom was born in Gloucester in 1917; her Uncle was dear friends with Pauline Bresnahan’s father.

Adam Curcuru and the veterans office volunteers discussed projects that the Cape Ann Veterans Services is involved with. Stories were shared and a few tears. It was all very inspiring. We passed around a copy of the children’s book that is going to all the elementary school classes for Veterans Day.  We spent time admiring the Welcome Home to Cape Ann Veterans Gift Packages, a program “designed to show Cape Ann’s appreciation for our returning veterans and let them know that Cape Ann supports them in this process of transitioning out of the military and back into our community.”

 

With or without the Gloucester family connections, I believe that Anita and Greg are so impressed by the Cape Ann Veterans Services that they would be delighted to work together anyhow. Learn more about David, and Anita and Greg’s projects  http://www.sgtdavidcoullard.com. Mutts Mending Military  is another organization they’ve supported. How nice that Cape Ann Veterans Services is included.

I learned that the 2016 Welcome Home to Cape Ann Veterans we left the light on for you Gift Packages were made possible by the Cape Ann Veterans Services, Gloucester MA Elks Lodge #892, and the Manchester Athletic Club, and that they are made extra homey special because they are stuffed with support information and gift certificates from so many local donors, businesses and organizations:

A Shade Down

Ace Hardware at Gloucester Crossing

Azorean Restaurant

Blue Marlin Grille

Brothers’ Brew Coffee Shop

Cape Ann Lanes

Cape Ann Veterans Services

Cape Ann Whale Watch

Randy Korpi Carpenter

Celia’s Flower Studio

Destino’s Subs & Catering

Dunkin Donuts

Elks Lodge #892, Gloucester 

Extreme Truck and Auto Repair

Flannagan’s

Gloucester High School

Gloucester High School art department

Gloucester House

Gold Coast Realty  (North Shore’s)

Goodwin Party Shop

Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant

Jeff’s Variety & Deli

La Casa DeLuis

Linsky’s Service Station

Magnolia 525 Tavern

Manchester Athletic Club

David and Jeana JMB Narkowitz

Ohana

Orlando & Associates

Our Lady of Good Voyage, Gloucester

Pauline’s Gifts

Gary Porter

Dr. Dana Powers Manchester

Dr. Michael Powers Gloucester

Tim and Lori Sandborn

Sebastians

Stone’s Pub & Eatery

Styles on Main Salon & Spa

Sunbanque Tanning

Virgilio’s Bakery

Nancy and Joe Virgilio

Dr. Robert Viventi

Yankee Fleet

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