Rep. Hogan's Local Heroes
Our first LOCAL HEROES FOR 2012 are two women who know what it is like to wait and worry over their husbands’ long deployments. Any attempt to highlight their own volunteer efforts will be responded to with the famous Will Rogers saying, “We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.” What they have done, however, to re-energize the local American Legion - and the volunteer efforts on behalf of their community - is well worth a standing ovation.
Our first LOCAL HEROES FOR 2012 are two women who know what it is like to wait and worry over their husbands’ long deployments. Any attempt to highlight their own volunteer efforts will be responded to with the famous Will Rogers saying, “We can't all be heroes because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.” What they have done, however, to re-energize the local American Legion - and the volunteer efforts on behalf of their community - is well worth a standing ovation.These LOCAL HEROES are Amanda Carlson, President and Nichole Karlon, Senior Vice (and past) President of American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 235, in Maynard. Amanda and Nichole, along with volunteer spouses and family members of deployed service members, have created a space for veterans to be welcomed and honored, provided opportunities for spouses and family to support those still serving, and have always offered others help or a hand up when needed.
Amanda and Nichole have spearheaded fundraisers, run collection drives for active duty soldiers and homeless women vets, sent a panel truck off from The American Legion Auxiliary full of clothes, blankets, toys and bedding for Western Mass tornado victims, produced an annual blue star float in the Maynard Christmas Parade, hosted a Chili Off to raise funds for the post, and, this year, even managed to pull off Halloween at Patriot Hall when the infamous October Storm forced the town to cancel trick or treat. Oh, yes, and there is that comedy night they host in the summer: Mission of Laughter.
Their most ambitious event to date was a fundraiser for HONOR FLIGHT New England. A check for $5000 was presented to Joe Byron, President of HONOR FLIGHT NE, to transport our “greatest generation” Heroes to Washington DC to visit and reflect at their WWII National Memorial. Nichole and Amanda wanted to ensure that all eligible WWII Veterans in our area would have the opportunity to participate in this tour of honor - it was their way to express the thanks and gratitude of all who have come after.So, just this once, thank you, Amanda Carlson and Nichole Karlon for all you do for the good of your town, for those in need, and for our veterans and their families.
Top photo: Unit Commander Ed Sokolowski, American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 235, Amanda Carlson, President of American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 235, Nichole Karlon, Vice President, and Joe Byron, Founder of Honor Flight NE
Bottom Photo: Nichole Karlon, Vice President, and Joe Byron, Founder of Honor Flight NE
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