By Beth David, Editor
Oh, we have heart-breaking news this week. George Brownell, who helped organize the Veterans Day and Memorial Day parades for years, died tragically last week (see page 12).
I know there are some who say newspapers should not mention if a death was by suicide. But I do not share that philosophy, especially if the person was a veteran, and someone who was so well known in the community.
Veterans, and especially those over the age of 50, are taking their own lives at an alarming rate, about 17 veterans a day in 2021, the last year that numbers are available from the VA. People need to know how prevalent this is. Veterans need to believe that there is another way. We can’t get that message to people if we are afraid to say the words.
Every municipality in Massachusetts has a Veterans Services Officer who can connect veterans with resources, services, benefits they are entitled to because of their service to this country. All veterans have earned the right to those benefits. Please, please, please take advantage of them.
George’s picture graced the pages of this newspaper often over the years. He was a well-known character in town because of his business, because of his involvement with veterans’ issues, and because of his big personality.
He was my mechanic, and he was my friend for more than 30 years. He was also a big supporter of the paper.
I will miss him. And so will many others.
There’s a lot of other stuff in here, of course, including lots of happenings. Make sure you notice who our advertisers are so you can tell them you saw their ads in the Neighb News.
Until next week then, see ya,
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to the Heroes!
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Click here for this week’s issue: 08-08-24 NationalNightOut
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