VA New England extends a Salute to Service

More than 200 Veterans stopped by the VA New England Healthcare System and Vet Centers outreach specialists as part of the annual Salute to Service game at Gillette Stadium Nov. 24.

Before the National Football League kick-off between the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys, more than a dozen VA personnel greeted Veterans and members of the Armed Forces.

VA New England set up a VA outreach center outside the stadium to answer questions about VA programs and to extend VA’s appreciation and gratitude to those who serve. The regional Mobile Vet Center set up at the site as well.

It was a rain-drenched day with high winds and temperatures in the 30s but the weather didn’t put a damper on those other patriots – military service member and Veterans and family members – honored at the game.

Veterans visit the VA New England Healthcare System outreach tent at Gillette Stadium Nov. 24.

The uniform of the day was multiple layers of clothing. Active-duty military were wearing their winter uniforms, and Veterans sported their favorite military camouflaged colors and Veteran pride items. Many, of course, displayed the red, white and blue of their favorite NFL team.

“It’s November so we expect harsh weather conditions here in New England,” said Michael McNamara, VA New England’s outreach program manager. “But what was really special was seeing so many Veterans who took the time to stop by to say hello and to thank VA for being there for them and to tell us they appreciated the great care they said they were receiving.”

On the field

The game included several on-the-field honors and tributes to service members and Veterans.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff General James McConville, a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, and a big Patriots fan, did a swearing in ceremony for new recruits. He thanked the NFL and the Patriots organization for honoring the troops.

“The way they’re taking care of our soldiers and supporting our military is just great.”

The Patriots hosted 26 families of fallen service members at the game. All Patriots players wore a special decal on their helmet with the initials of a man or woman who lost their life while serving in the Armed Forces. The Patriots also announced that Joe Cardona, their long snapper, was the team’s nominee for the 2019 Salute to Service Award presented by USAA — the fourth straight year that the team has picked him as a nominee.

Cardona, a Naval Academy graduate, promoted to lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve earlier this offseason and has also led and hosted more than a dozen events in support of military families all over New England, including free football clinics for military children at military bases in the region.

The Patriots also honored Michael Sweeney, a staff sergeant in the Massachusetts National Guard and the director of Veterans Services for the city of Lynn, Mass. He was the team’s “Difference Maker of the Week” for his work with military members and Gold Star families.

Near the VA outreach area was a six-foot-tall memorial for service members who have fallen since Sept. 11, 2001. Funded through the Veterans and Athletes United organization, the “VAU Fallen Heroes Memorial” is a wall symbolizing the shape of the American flag. The wall has 7,000 dog tags from soldiers lost their lives since the 9/11 attacks.

Bittersweet tributes

A joint color guard presents flags at the Nov. 24 Salute to Service game.

The tributes were bittersweet for Steve Xiarhos. Hi son, Nicholas Xiarhos, died in combat July 23, 2009, in Garmsir, Afghanistan, serving in the Marine Corps. Nicholas went to Parris Island right after high school, said his father.

“He was 13 when America was attacked on 9/11,” Xiarhos said. “He told me that day that he wanted to be a Marine.” Xiarhos said it was gratifying to see so many New Englanders celebrate the lives of service members and to continue the legacy of service.

“We love our military so to be remembered and included today is important and for us to help pay it back,” said Xiarhos, the deputy police chief in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, who credited the Cape Cod Vet Center for helping his family and other Veteran families. “We could not have gotten through this alone – to lose a son, it‘s a life changing event.”

The Xiarhos family established a foundation in their son’s honor, the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Fund. The foundation contributes to worthy Veteran and community-based causes throughout the region.

“Cape Cod and Massachusetts has loved us,” said Xiarhos, who retires in December after 40 years in law enforcement. “We do anything and everything for our Veterans — that’s what Nick would want.”

John Paradis is a senior editor and writer for VA New England Healthcare System