 Veteran Spotlight: Guardsman Pvt. Shy Ann JacksonBorn in Falmouth, she entered basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in August 2014 after graduating from Mashpee High School.  Veteran Spotlight: Army Master Sgt. David LevesqueDavid Levesque served his country in the Army and Army National Guard for 28 years from 1979 to 2007, retiring as a master sergeant.  Veteran Spotlight: Coast Guard Lt. Joseph PontiHe grew up in Lawrence and graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy as an ensign. His first assignment would take him aboard a weather ship, the USCG Casco.  Veteran Spotlight: Air Force Staff Sgt. Cory AhonenCory Ahonen, chief engagement officer for the state's Executive Office of Veterans Services, served his country in the Air Force from 2008 to 2014 as a staff sergeant.  Veteran Spotlight: Army Sgt. John MagnarelliJohn Magnarelli served his country in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division and the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam from May 4, 1969, to April 10, 1970, as a sergeant.  Veteran Spotlight: Army Sgt. Al DiMuzio"It wasn't 100 percent consistent but I was afforded the opportunity to get to know other people with different religion, beliefs, backgrounds and culture and to be able to embrace that."  Veteran Spotlight: Army Sgt. Louis VairoLouis Vairo served his country in the Army from 1966 to 1968, achieving the rank of sergeant, specialist E5.  Veteran Spotlight: Army Spc. Robert DutraA graduate of Lawrence High School, he initially joined the Army National Guard. His basic training would take him to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.  Veteran Spotlight: Naval Reserve Cmdr. Ronald NasifGrowing up in Boston, he majored in biology at Boston College, where he also lettered in football for the Eagles. He would go on to Tufts Medical School but took a year off graduate school and taught during the busing crisis of the 1970s.  Veteran Spotlight: Lt. Col. Brent FinemoreBrent Finemore served his country in the Army from 1982 to 2002, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.  Veteran Spotlight: Army Lt. John ShoemakerHe would go onto serve his country for four years as a combat platoon leader and company commander in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade of the "Americal" Division in Chu Lai.  Veteran Spotlight: Command Sgt. Maj. Steve ValleySteve Valley served his country in the Army from 1985 to 2015, retiring as a command sergeant major.  Veteran Spotlight: Marine Corps Reserve Lance Cpl. Timothy WhelanFormer state Rep. Timothy Whelan served his country in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1989 to 1994 as a lance corporal.  Veteran Spotlight: Army Cpl. Robert SavinoGrowing up in upper Manhattan in New York City, he attended and graduated from what was then All Hallows Institute, a private boy's prep school. He did his basic training at Fort Riley, Kan.  Veteran Spotlight: Air National Guard Maj. David MendozaHe grew up in Hampden and graduated from what was then North Adams State College. His dad had four years active service during the Vietnam War era.  Veteran Spotlight: Spc. Dave DiMesticoHe is proud of the people in his family who have served — his father, Paul, was in the Army Air Forces in World War II, his brother Peter was a Marine during the Vietnam era and his son Mike has been serving in the Navy 13 years, as well as numerous other relatives.  Veteran Spotlight: Marine Staff Sgt. Dennis PregentHe grew up in North Adams and quit high school at 17 years of age in the middle of his senior year and enlisted in the Marines. He did his basic training at Parris Island and remembered the intensity of boot camp.  Veteran Spotlight: Lt. Col. Maria Adame-EmeryShe grew up in Santa Ana, Calif., did her basic training in ROTC and was commissioned at the New Mexico Military Institute.  Veteran Spotlight: Army Spc. Fred WexlerFred Wexler served his country in the Army from 1961 to 1964 as a specialist, 4th grade.  Veteran Spotlight: Marine Sgt. Joe HeneburySgt. Henebury and other Marines would be on a ship 22 days, stopping briefly in Okinawa to get supplies and ammunition, before making an amphibious assault in Vietnam.  Veteran Spotlight: Seaman 1st Class John KeatingAt 92 years of age, he is tremendously kind, genuine, highly intelligent and possesses an extraordinary memory.  Veteran Spotlight: Airman 1st Class Tim FlynnTim Flynn served his country in the Air Force as an airman first class from 1963 to 1967 and is a Vietnam veteran.  Veteran Spotlight: John Harding Jr.John Harding Jr. served his country with bravery and distinction as a corporal in the Marine Corps from 1963 to 1966 and in the Vietnam War.  Veteran Spotlight: Marine Lance Cpl. Gene GavazziGene Gavazzi served his country in the Marine Corps and Marine Reserves from 1983 to 1989. |
