On Tuesday, May 24th, the Military Friends Foundation held its first Annual Meeting and Award Dinner. This special event, held at the Hampshire House in Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, was attended by nearly 100 public officials, military leaders, service members, and their families. The evening gave the Foundation an opportunity to publicly report on the success of many of its programs over the last year and to recognize those individuals and organizations who have contributed to those successes.
Brigadier General Thomas J. Sellars speaks after receiving the President’s Award at the
Military Friends Foundation’s Annual Meeting and Award Dinner on May 24, 2011.
Below are the awards and recognitions that were presented:
2011 President’s Award
The first-ever President’s Award was presented to Brigadier General Thomas J. Sellars, Commander of the Massachusetts National Guard’s Land Component Command. A familiar face at many Foundation programs and events, Gen. Sellars was recognized for his exceptional support for the well-being of Massachusetts service members and their families and for his outstanding advocacy for the Foundation over the years.
2011 Distinguished Citizen Award
The Distinguished Citizen Award was presented to State Representative John J. Binienda in recognition of his exceptional support for Massachusetts service members and their families. Through his work in the Legislature, Rep. Binienda has also demonstrated outstanding support for the Foundation. While serving as Chair of the Revenue Committee in 2005, Rep. Binienda was instrumental in establishing the Mass. Military Family Relief Fund – Question 32e, a voluntary contributions box check-off box on the state tax form – to support local military families. The Foundation is charged with administering this fund on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Patriot Scholarship Presentation
Khris Cintron-Perez of Worcester, whose father Jose was killed in action in Iraq in January 2010, received a $1,000 scholarship as part of the Military Friends Patriot Scholar program. The program provides scholarships to Massachusetts high school seniors and college freshmen with a parent, step-parent or guardian who has been activated overseas in the National Guard or Reserve components since September 11, 2001.
2011 Partner-in-Service Awards
The Military Friends Foundation Partner-in-Service Awards were presented to the Boston Blazers and the Ahern Family Charitable Foundation. The Blazers, Boston’s professional lacrosse franchise, joined with the Foundation to host “Heroes Night” earlier this year. This special evening, held during a Blazers home game on February 12th, honored the life of Lt. Scott Milley of Sudbury, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010, and benefited the Military Friends Hero’s Salute program for fallen heroes. The Blazers also dedicated the remainder of their season in memory of Lt. Milley.
Since 2001, the Ahern Family Charitable Foundation has supported Massachusetts service members and their families. Through their fundraising efforts, they have raised and donated substantial amounts of financial assistance for our veterans and current members of our military fighting the war on terrorism. The Ahern Foundation also provides grants to military assistance organizations – including the Military Friends Foundation – to help provide services ranging from financial grants and scholarships to psychological treatment for families of deployed troops and lodging for families visiting their wounded and injured loved one while undergoing treatment.