Franklin Annual Report - 2018: Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO)

The Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO) serves veterans and their dependents in recognition of their service to our nation. Responsibilities of the VSO include educating veterans and their dependents about the benefits available to them, dispensing state sponsored veterans’ benefits under M.G.L. Chapter 115 and assisting veterans and their dependents or survivors in obtaining state and federal benefits or entitlements which they have earned.

In addition to my responsibilities to the veterans of Franklin, I serve as the Veterans’ Service Advocate for Norfolk County and as the VSO for the Town of Avon. Norfolk County is the only county in the Commonwealth to have an individual dedicated to Veterans’ Services. Through an agreement between the Town and the County, I am able to continue to support the VSO’s in the 28 cities and towns of Norfolk County while primarily servicing the Franklin veterans’ community.

As our veterans and their dependents/survivors age, there are more demands for benefits provided by the Commonwealth’s Department of Veterans’ Services and the U. S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs. During the past year, there has been an increase in the number of Franklin veterans who have recently completed their military service.

It is very important that veterans and widows identify themselves on the town census. This information enables the VSO to identify services available to them. I sent a letter to every veteran and widow identified on the town census earlier this year. As you see in our contacts this year, the mailing generated a significant amount of interaction for the office.

Fiscal Year 2018 Office contacts for the VSO were:

• Walk-Ins 469
• Appointments 403
• Incoming Calls 1,406
• Outgoing Calls 701
• Actionable Email 184
• Total contacts: 3,163

A 26.4% increase over FY 2017!
Franklin veterans, dependents and surviving family members received over $4,503,000 in compensation and pension payments from the VA in FY 17.

I participated in many civic events during the year at schools and civic groups. The VSO is always willing to attend an event to speak about veterans, veterans’ benefits, the military experience or to support a patriotic event. I invite other veterans to attend such events. If you are interested in attending any event, please contact my office. I also work with Boy Scouts and other students who are interested in community service projects when they are available.

Franklin Veterans’ Council
The Franklin Veterans’ Council meets on the Third Thursday of the month, 7pm, at the Franklin Senior Center. Dates, times and meeting locations are posted on the Veterans’ Services web page. All veterans and any interested individual or organization are welcome to attend. This group serves as a communications outlet for veteran and military related events and activities in the community as well as an opportunity for veterans to obtain information about state and federal benefits and changes. The Council is chaired by the VSO.

Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway
The Franklin Veterans’ Council formed a subcommittee, the Veterans Walkway Committee in 2016. On October 25, 2017 Dale Kurtz, representing the committee, made a presentation to the Town Council about constructing a Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Town Common. The Town Council unanimously approved the project on November 15,
2017. 

The Veterans Walkway Committee has sold bricks through the VFW Post 3402 to fund the project. Bricks will continue to be sold until the walkway is filled with veterans’ names. Funding was also provided by a grant from the State Department of Veterans Services through the efforts of our state legislators. This committee has done a tremendous amount of research and work to ensure that we properly recognize those veterans from the Town of Franklin who died during our nation’s wars from World War I through today. Construction is scheduled to start in September 2018. The goal is to have the new walkway dedicated on Veterans’ Day 2018. For information about the walkway, please contact the Veterans Services Office.

Veterans’ Day Luncheon
The Franklin Veterans’ Day Luncheon was held on Friday, November 10, 2017 at the Franklin Elks Lodge #2136. Franklin High School Select Chorus led us in the National Anthem and provided musical interludes during the program. American Legion Post 75 presented the colors and we were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Lisa Plante, Post Chaplain Robert Markunis, American Legion Post 75, provided our invocation. State Representative Jeffrey Roy provided brief remarks for the audience. The VSO provided information about new and existing programs for veterans. Honorably discharged veterans may now shop on line at the Post Exchange, shopmyexchange.com. Veterans may also obtain a Veterans’ ID Card (VIC) at vets.gov. The announcement of the Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway was the key topic of the program.

Memorial Day Breakfast
Our deceased veterans were remembered at The Franklin Memorial Day Breakfast on Friday, May 25, 2018 at the Franklin Senior Center. Franklin High School choral group led by Olivia Goliger, Franklin Music Teacher, led us in the National Anthem and provided musical interludes during the program. American Legion Post 75 presented the colors. John Hefele, American Legion, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Bob Gardner, Franklin veteran, provided our invocation. We remembered the 45 veterans listed on our War Memorials who died during our nation’s conflicts and the 65 Franklin veterans who passed since our last Memorial Day. “Taps” was played after our moment of silent remembrance.

State Representative Jeffrey Roy joined us and made a few brief remarks. Ed Geoffry, age 101 who served in Europe from 1941 to 1946, honored us by attending our breakfast. Natalie Webb and Anna Dixon each read a short article about one of our fallen heroes who will be memorialized on our Veterans Memorial walkway. Natalee wrote the articles which were published in the Franklin localtownpages newspaper. Plaques to be placed in the Memorial Walkway were on display for our guests.

Missing Man Table
The Missing Man Table was re-introduced to our Memorial Day ceremony after years of absence.I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table. 

The table is small symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone against his or her oppressors. The table is round to show that our concern for them is everlasting. The white tablecloth represents the purity of their response to our country’s call to arms. The Bible represents faith in a higher power and the pledge to our country, founded as one nation under God. 

The single rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. The rose also reminds us of the families and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith awaiting their return.The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon, a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their families and friends. 

The candle symbolizes the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those not accounted for. The American flag reminds us that many of them never return and have paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure our freedom. A slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate. 

The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait. The glass is inverted to remind us of their inability to share in this ceremony. The chair is empty. They are not here. Please remember those who have served and are currently serving our nation in harm’s way.

Vet Ruck New England
In August, a group of veterans from Warrior Thunder conducted a 200 mile ruck across Massachusetts to raise funds for the prevention of veteran suicide. That was 10 miles for each veteran suicide each day. I joined the group as they entered Franklin and walked with them to the Town Common where a brief ceremony was held to recognize their event and to provide some well appreciated refreshments. 

As I continued the walk through Franklin, the walkers commented on how nice Franklin looks and how warm the reception had been. They made comparisons with other towns and were very appreciative of the support they received here. Thank you to all of the town’s people who provided water, refreshments and donations to the walkers. They had started their walk in Pittsfield two day earlier and completed their journey the next day in Plymouth.

Veterans Call
I started a new program on Franklin Local TV, “Veterans Call”. The program is for and about veterans and airs on Franklin “All Access TV”. If you have suggestions for the show, please contact the Veterans Office.

Chair of Honor
The Chair of Honor resided at the Franklin Senior Center most of this year. It will rotate through other town buildings and schools through the next year.

Other Events and Activities
I co-hosted a Women Veteran’s Coffee Hour on February 24th at the Victorian Rhapsody Coffee Shop. I was joined by the Raynham and Norton VSO’s and representatives from other state and federal agencies. It was a good opportunity for women veterans to talk about their service and to obtain support for various benefits. For the past five years, I have worked with the Neponset Valley Rotary Club in hosting a veterans’ networking breakfast. We held this event on February 21st in Dedham and had over 20 veterans attend.

I coordinated a Vietnam War 50th Pinning Ceremony with Congressman Kennedy’s office in March. The event was held at the Foxboro VFW. The Congressman provided 62 lapel pins to Vietnam Veterans.

Community Support
Veterans’ Services thanks these faithful supporters:

• The Franklin Garden Club for the care and maintenance of the Veterans’ Memorial on the town common.
• Elks Lodge #2136, BPOE, for their continued support of Franklin’s veterans including the sponsorship of the Veterans’ Day Luncheon, and the veterans’ fuel assistance program. Elks Lodge #2136 conducts numerous events during the year in support of our veterans in local VA facilities.
• VFW Post 3402 for their assistance with the placement of flags on the graves of our deceased veterans for Memorial Day, their donation of poppies and their ongoing
• support and attention to Franklin’s veterans.
• American Legion, Edward L. Grant, Post 75 for their support of our veterans and their participation in our Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day events. Post 75 visits local
• private medical and VA facilities to support and recognize our veterans.
• The Friends of Franklin Elders for their support of the Memorial Day Breakfast at the Senior Center.
• The staff of the Franklin Senior Center for their daily support of the Veterans Service Office and for their valued support of the Memorial Day Breakfast.
• Franklin High School music department for the support of our events.
• The citizens of Franklin for your support of our veterans and active duty service members.

Although, federal and state definitions of veterans are very specific as to time and component served for qualification for benefits, I hold to this definition of a
veteran:

A veteran is someone – whether active duty, retired, National Guard or Reserve, served one day or twenty years – who at one point in their life wrote a blank check made payable to the Government of the United States of America for an amount of “up to and including my life.”

Thank you for your service.

I am honored to serve Franklin’s veterans and their families.

Respectfully submitted,
Dale L. Kurtz
Veterans’ Service Officer


You can read the full Annual Report for 2018 online
https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/franklinma/files/uploads/franklin_2018_town_report.pdf

The archive of prior year annual reports
https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk/pages/annual-reports

The Veterans Walkway on the Town Common was opened on Veterans Day, November 11, 2018

In the News: Veterans walkway to get benches; state education budget needs additional funding

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Veterans’ Memorial Walkway, a recent installment at the Town Common, will soon be improved when granite benches are installed. 

Veterans Service Officer Dale Kurtz said there wasn’t enough time to have them installed before Veterans Day last year, but they were not forgotten. 

“The weather hasn’t been cooperating, which we expected, so we put that on hold until the spring,” he said. 

Benches won’t be dedicated to anyone or have any engravings, Kurtz said, but will most certainly add to the aesthetic of the exceedingly popular new walkway."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190130/franklin-veterans-memorial-walkway-to-add-benches

"Gov. Charlie Baker’s budget proposal takes steps that are “crucially important” to efforts around building equity and closing achievement gaps in colleges and universities, according the state’s higher education commissioner. 

Meanwhile, a coalition of education groups and teachers unions is pushing for the passage of legislation calling for $500 million in new funding for public colleges and universities. 

Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago said Massachusetts leads the pack educationally in a number of ways -- for one, boasting the highest percentage of its population with postsecondary degrees -- but also faces “startling” gaps. 

A white female student’s likelihood of completing a college degree is around 65 percent, he said, but for a Latino male student, that falls to about 20 percent, Santiago said at an event hosted by the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20190130/baker-higher-ed-plans-called-unprecedented-inadequate

Veterans walkway: Brick Sales Update

Brick sales are ongoing!

The next brick installation on the Veterans Memorial Walkway is scheduled for Memorial Day 2019.

The Brick order form https://post3402.org/documents
Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

Veterans walkway: Brick Sales Update

Post sharing the dedication ceremony on Nov 11, 2018
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/11/virtuosity-deserves-some-concrete-and.html

Franklin TV recorded the ceremony, view the video on YouTube
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/12/veterans-memorial-walkway-celebration.html

One man's quest to find out about Sgt Timothy J Hayes

Sgt Timothy J Hayes

In the summer of 2013, one man walked among the graves in the American section of the cemetery in Normandy. He stopped at a grave and planted a small American flag. He wrote the name of the soldier's grave he had found in his notebook. When he returned home, he went to the internet to search for information on the soldier. 

He was fortunate. He found Sgt Timothy J Hayes in the search results.

Rose Turco had provided me the information on all the street signs that had been placed on the corners or in the Franklin neighborhoods where the soldiers had lived. The World War II Fallen Heroes project had taken place in 2011.

Sgt Hayes' sign was at the corner of Cross and Summer. I had posted the World War II information following VJ Day in August 2013. This is what the man, Trip Lewis, was able to find.

Trip Lewis is an American living and teaching in New Brunswick, Canada. He wrote in October 2013 to send me the photo of Sgt Hayes' grave and the flag he placed. He also had a chance to stop in Franklin in December 2013 as he was driving down the coast to visit family over the holidays. We met at the corner of Cross and Summer.

It was an overcast winter day but special. Trip and I met and chatted for a few minutes, took a couple of photos, and he headed back on the road.

Trip Lewis

Fallen Hero: Sgt Timothy J Hayes

I had not heard from Trip until this weekend when he wrote:

Dear Steve, 

We met almost 5 years ago in Franklin after I had contacted you about information that you had about a soldier from Franklin, Sergeant Timothy J Hayes that had died from wounds received on June 6, 1944, on Franklin Matters. I wanted to first again thank you for meeting me that Day in December 2013 - it was a special moment to stand under the sign on Cross Street in Franklin and learn more about Timothy Hayes. 

I am reaching out to you because I again had the opportunity to visit France this past July - and as part of our group’s itinerary, another visit to the Normandy American Cemetery. Though we had not planned it until the day before, I was able to do more than just visit Sgt Hayes this time and plant a flag at his grave - in fact, I ended up doing a short biography of him for the members of our group, teachers and students from across Canada, and introduce all of them to what I know about him and his service. 

I was able to record this on video (only recently having the time to get back and edit all of the video content from the trip); if you are interested in watching, the link to the video is provided. We also did a grave stone rubbing which I have brought home and framed.

Given your help in meeting me in Franklin back in 2013, I wanted to share this video with you - many thanks for your help. I hope someday to again visit Franklin!

Trip and Rose have been in contact via email so this story continues to develop.


The video:





More about the Gregg Centre can be found online
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/arts/centres/gregg/

Sgt Hayes page (the original posting that Trip found)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/fallen-hero-sergeant-timothy-j-hayes-us.html

The Fallen Heroes Series can be found
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/franklin-fallen-heroes-series.html

Sgt Timothy J Hayes is also honored with a post on the recently dedicated Veterans Walkway

Veterans Memorial Walkway Celebration - November 11, 2018 (Video)

If you missed this, or would like to revisit the wonderful celebration that recognized Franklin's veterans, the video is available for replay. 

Thank you Franklin TV. 

Thank you Dale Kurtz and your numerous helpers (all thanked in the video) for this lasting memorial.





The post with event details shared on Monday, November 12
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/11/virtuosity-deserves-some-concrete-and.html

Veterans Memorial Walkway on the Franklin Town Common

"virtuosity deserves some concrete and tangible form of recognition"

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"After more than two years of planning, residents were able to take their first steps on the Veterans Memorial Walkway on Sunday. 

Red bricks make up the walkway’s foundation, while 45 plaques placed on granite columns are placed throughout. Each of the plaques has the name of one of the 45 Franklin veterans who lost their life while serving in one of our nation’s conflicts, spanning from World War I to the Iraq War. 

The walkway was officially and aptly unveiled Sunday to correspond with Veterans Day. 

Keynote speaker and state Rep. Jeff Roy, D-Franklin, who helped secure state funding for the project, noted the importance of building a monument in recognition of those who’ve shown signs of courage - something humanity has taken part in for thousands of years."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181111/veterans-walkway-unveiled-in-franklin

Franklin Veterans Service Officer Dale Kurtz

state Rep. Jeff Roy

part of the more than 2,000 gathered for the ceremony

Veterans Day Celebration - Nov 11 at 1:30 PM on the Franklin Town Common

The Veterans Day celebration will begin Sunday, November 11 at 1:30 PM on the Town Common. The dedication of the new veterans walkway will be followed by a reception at the Senior Center.

• 1009 bricks purchased
• 100th anniversary of WWI
• 215th Army Band, 1166th Transport Company vehicle to participate

Bricks can still be purchased. The Brick order form can be found online  https://post3402.org/documents
Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

Veterans Day Celebration - Nov 11 at 1:30 PM on the Franklin Town Common

Walkway progress

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/franklin-veterans-memorial-walkway.html

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/10/in-news-walkway-foundation-set-ross-not.html

walkway progress this week (beginning 11/4/18)

walkway progress in recent weeks (10/26/18)

In the News: walkway foundation set; Ross not responding to debate offer

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Veterans’ Memorial Walkway is starting to take shape on the Town Common, a month after a ceremonial groundbreaking was held at the spot of the planned path. 

This week, Department of Public Works workers have been clearing and putting down a foundation of stones in the newly designed path in front of the current veterans memorial. 

The path is now cleared and ready for the granite curbing. Crews will place the curbing this weekend. Workers will place granite slabs along the path as well as the granite dividers along the walkway, between the dedicated bricks. 

An official dedication ceremony will take place once the pathway is complete, scheduled for Veterans Day (Nov. 11), but applications to buy more bricks will stay open for years to come."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181010/foundation-cleared-for-franklin-veterans-path

foundation set for the Veterans Walkway on the Town Common

"State Sen. Richard Ross is apparently not interested in debating his Democratic challenger before the Nov. 6 general election. 

Ross, a Republican from Wrentham, “has refused the offer” to participate in a face-to-face candidates forum with Democrat challenger Becca Rausch of Needham, according to an email from the presidents of three local League of Women Voters chapters sent to the campaigns. 

Ross did not respond to two emails and five phone calls requesting his attendance at a candidates forum to be cablecast on the Wayland public access station, according to the Monday email from LWV presidents in Wayland, Wellesley and Needham. A four-term incumbent, Ross has represented the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District since winning a special election in May 2010."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181010/republican-richard-ross-of-wrentham-wont-debate-challenger-becca-rausch-of-needham

Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway - construction begins

On Saturday, September 29, the construction of the Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway began with the opening of the walkway path. 

Work will continue through October in preparation of the Dedication on Veterans Day, 11 November at 1:30 PM on the Town Common.

Franklin’s Veterans Service Officer thank the DPW crew and Building Commissioner for their work to begin the construction.

preparing the walkway

digging for the foundation

done for the day

The Brick order form  https://post3402.org/documents

Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

In the News: walkway ground breaking held; dispensary bans reversed

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"With the outline of the future Veteran’s Memorial Pathway painted in white on the Town Common, an official groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday. 

Residents as well as town and state officials gathered on the misty morning to witness and take part in the official start of construction. With more than 800 bricks engraved with the names of veterans far and wide, the pathway is already taking shape. 

The project started about three years ago when a discussion began on how to revitalize the names of the veterans that adorn memorial street signs across town. 

“The idea and outcome of that meeting was a genesis that is now culminating in the construction of the Veteran’s Memorial Walkway,” Franklin Veteran Service Officer Dale Kurtz said."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180911/veterans-pathway-breaks-ground-in-franklin

The Brick order form  https://post3402.org/documents
Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

"the outline of the future Veteran’s Memorial Pathway painted in white on the Town Common"

"Six days after confirming approval of medical marijuana dispensary bans in Northborough and Bellingham, Attorney General Maura Healey’s office reversed its decision. 

In article on Aug. 25 Telegram and Gazette, a sister paper of the Daily News article, a spokesperson for the AG’s office confirmed that the office in June approved bylaws passed in the two towns that ban medical marijuana dispensaries. The 2012 Medical Marijuana law originally prohibited any municipality from banning medical marijuana dispensaries. An AG spokeswoman said at the time the approval was based on Section 56 (subsection d) of Chapter 55 Acts of 2017. 

But after being contacted by the Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance and others with questions about the Telegram and Gazette story, officials in the AG’s office said they revisited the earlier decisions and the law and determined an error had been made - municipalities are not allowed to ban medical marijuana establishments."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180911/northborough-bellingham-now-told-they-cannot-prohibit-medical-marijuana-dispensaries

Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway - Sep 11

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway will be held on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM on the Town Common near the War Memorial.

The groundbreaking will be held rain or shine. All members of the community are invited.

Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway - Sep 11

Participate in the fund raising events for the walkway
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2018/08/franklin-veterans-walkway-fund-raising.html

Franklin Veterans Walkway Fund Raising Events

The Franklin Veterans Memorial Walkway committee will hold a fundraising drive on Saturday, September 1 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Stop and Shop in the Franklin Village Plaza. Brick order forms will be available and donations to the project will be accepted. 

Tickets to the Veterans Memorial Walkway Margarita Night fundraiser will also be available for $15 per person. 

Sponsored by the Franklin Elks, Margarita Night will feature cocktails, dinner, raffles and music by DJ Darrell French on Saturday, September 8 at 6:00 PM at the Elks Club, 1077 Pond Street. 

All proceeds will benefit the Walkway Fund.

Franklin Veterans Walkway Fund Raising Events

“This is something that will be there long after we’re gone”

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The proposed veteran’s pathway is progressing as the bricks are being engraved with names of veterans from around the country, no matter which war they fought in. 

More than 700 bricks have been purchased by people from all around the country over the past eight months to commemorate or recognize a current or past veteran, marking their name, rank, and years of service. 

The spaces are for anyone in the country, no matter if there is a Franklin connection or not. 

Currently, those bricks are being carved with the names and military branches of the soldiers being dedicated, but there’s plenty of room for more."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20180813/franklin-veterans-walkway-moving-along

Bricks are still available for the new Veterans Walkway on the Town Common

The Brick order form  https://post3402.org/documents

Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

Veterans Walkway Bricks now on sale

"Did you happen to catch the Town Council meeting? The Veteran's Walkway project for the Town Common has been approved. This walkway will run from the flag pole near the War Memorials to Union Street. All along the walkway will be granite posts with bronze plaques in recognition of our Franklin residents who gave their lives in defense of our country since World War I. 

The project is being funded entirely by donations from members of the community. You may purchase a brick to honor a veteran or currently serving member of the Armed Forces for $100. The proceeds from the sales of bricks will be used to pay for the project. Please stay tuned and we will post the artists renderings of the project." 

The Brick order form  https://post3402.org/documents

Make checks payable to Franklin VFW Post 3402

screen capture of proposed Veterans Walkway for Franklin Town Common

Snow Bound Walkway -

Dolores and I took our usual Sunday walk around town. Our route took us up to the Dunkin Donuts in the plaza off King St/Upper Union. We usually use the sidewalk entrance to cross the drive-thru line and enter Dunkin. This was not to be today. The walkway which also serves as a handicap access is still snow bound.


We walked into the driveway that serves Joe's American Grill as well as access to the Dunkin Donuts. There we found a beaten path, tricky to walk but a short cut to Dunkin.

Updated: The location is formally called "Silver Maple Commons".