WVCB, NEEDHAM, Mass. — In 2010, a group of combat veterans, Gold Star families, and first responders formed Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, a nonprofit group committed to memorializing post-9/11 veterans who did not return home. The nonprofit group’s fundraising events help support these Gold Star families. The funds also support the Innovets program – designed to help veterans develop their own business ventures and get feedback from other professionals.

Erica D’Agostino of the Arthritis Foundation says members of the military are disproportionately affected by arthritis: “On average, the general population’s onset of arthritis is the age of 48, where the military community that onset can be in the early 30s and sometimes in the early 20s.” She tells us that the Arthritis Foundation has resources that can help with the pain and get veterans the support they’ve earned.

Learn more about the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Fundraising.

There are many organizations that support veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, mild cognitive impairment due to traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders and related conditions. The veterans and families we spoke with say that the Veterans Administration is a good place to start.

If you or a family member is in crisis or facing an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.

Jacob DeSantis, a Burlington Police Officer and United States Army Veteran, will be conducting a ruck march to honor our nation’s past and present service members. The ruck will take place this Memorial Day (May 31, 2021).

This past Veterans Day Jake, and his friend 1^st Lieutenant Joseph Morgan, completed a 22-mile ruck as a way to show their support for fellow Veterans and our Gold Star families. Jake and LT Morgan’s altruism were a refreshing display of hope during these challenging times, especially among our Veteran population. They were able to raise $14,396 in just one week in support of our mission, surpassing their original goal of $500 to be donated.

Jake will be conducting a 24-hour ruck march in order to raise money once again for Massachusetts Fallen Heroes. The march will begin at 12:00 AM on May 31, 2021 and will conclude at 12:00 AM on June 01, 2021. The ruck will take place in its entirety at the Burlington High School track located at 123 Cambridge St, Burlington, MA 01803.

BOSTON (CBS) – The Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in the Seaport was rededicated Friday morning.

The memorial and 50-foot tall Beacon of Honor on Northern Avenue is a tribute to those who died in the war on terror since September 11, 2001.

The names of 272 fallen heroes from Massachusetts are displayed on glass panels. Service members who died in 2019 and 2020 were added on Friday.

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Medal of Honor recipient Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia. Governor Charlie Baker and Congressman Stephen Lynch also attended.

Gold Star families were honored at the event for the sacrifices they have made.

“The loss associated with losing their son or daughter, their brother, their sister, will wear on their face for the rest of their lives. And I’ve seen it, every time I’ve been with them,” said Baker. “But there’s also a sense of pride about the fact that they raised a child that answered the call when the call came. And the pride they felt was also every bit as evident as the pain.”

Partnership has been focused on providing veterans access to cannabis

Over $100,000 has been raised to date for veterans initiatives

WAKEFIELD, Mass., March 17, 2021 — Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., (CSE: CURA /OTCQX: CURLF), a Massachusetts based company and a leading U.S. provider of consumer products in cannabis, today marks the one year anniversary of its partnership with the Massachusetts chapter of the Veterans Cannabis Project (VCP), an organization that advocates for legal and supported access of medical cannabis for veterans. As part of this partnership, Curaleaf has raised $107,000 for veterans organizations through the sales of its VCP pre-rolls over the past year at its Hanover medical dispensary as well as its locations in Oxford, Provincetown & Ware, Massachusetts.

Although state laws have permitted marijuana in Massachusetts and in 35 other states, 20 million veterans across the country are unable to access medical cannabis to help them cope with a number of physical and mental health issues including PTSD, because of federal laws. The Veterans Cannabis Project (VCP) strives to bring additional visibility to this important issue to help millions of veterans across the United States and those here in Massachusetts to have greater access to high quality medicinal cannabis they want and deserve.

“Curaleaf has helped us bring this critical issue to the forefront in Massachusetts and across the nation,” said Doug Distaso, U.S Air Force Veteran and Executive Director for the Veterans Cannabis Project. “Through their commitment to helping underserved communities like veterans, we can continue to advocate for access to cannabis as medicine. Veterans and their families overwhelmingly support federal legalization, and it’s our mission to ensure their elected officials take action on this issue.”

In addition to increased awareness on the issue of veterans access to cannabis, Curaleaf has donated the $107,000 it raised to both the VCP and MA Fallen Heroes, which helps empower veterans through education, employment, healthcare and housing.

“We don’t know where we’d be without a partner like Curaleaf,” said Dan Magoon, Executive Director of Mass Fallen Heroes. “This past year has been extremely difficult for everyone and we salute Curaleaf for never wavering in its support of our mission to assist Gold Star and military families throughout Massachusetts and New England.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all, and it’s our responsibility to stand by our non-profit partners like Mass Fallen Heroes and the Veterans Cannabis Project during this critical time where the needs of military veterans and their families have only grown,” said Patrik Jonsson, Curaleaf Northeast President. “We look forward to our continued work on behalf of our veterans.”

Coupled with the major donations, Curaleaf has supported employment and awareness efforts for military organizations through its involvement in the Mass Fallen Heroes Innovets program, which is an incubator for entrepreneurship among military veterans, and through several volunteer efforts.