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Town Government & |
Committees: Veterans' Services Veterans' Services 2009 Annual Report During 2009, the Department of Veterans’ Services experienced a significant increase in the volume of aid and assistance rendered to Hingham veterans through this office. A struggling economy as well as a dramatic increase in medical costs, has led many veterans and/or their dependants to inquire and if eligible, apply for benefits available to them under Chapter 115 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Monetary benefits as well as medical reimbursements were processed for those veterans or their dependants who qualified. Assistance was also given to veterans applying for federal compensation or pension claims. The 5th annual Injured Soldiers fishing trip was held in August at Hingham Harbor with 23 members of the Massachusetts National Guard who were injured in Iraq or Afghanistan taking part. The New England Regional Council of Carpenters donated and served breakfast and the South Shore Baptist Church provided lunch. Many Hingham residents as well as members of the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association generously donated their time and boats for this event. Town moderator and Navy veteran Tom O’Donnell was the featured speaker for the town’s Memorial Day observance at the high school and Veterans’ Council Chairman Jim Claypoole was the speaker for the Veterans’ Day ceremony at the Veterans’ Memorial at town hall. Hingham continues its rich tradition of being on the forefront in caring for its veterans and will continue to be pro-active in the identification of and assistance to those veterans who require the services of this office. The benefits and assistance given to veterans in the past year would not have been possible without the continued and generous support of the Board of Selectmen, the Town administrator and all the citizens of the town. Respectfully submitted, Michael Cunningham, Director
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