Mahoney’s Sends Record Number of Trees to New England Troops

More than 1,500 military families will get a Christmas Tree this year thanks to Mahoney’s Garden Center and the Trees for the Troops program.

More than 1,500 military families will get a Christmas Tree this year thanks to Mahoney’s Garden Center and the Trees for the Troops program. Customers purchased trees at Mahoney's Tewksbury store, as well as the chain's seven other stores, lfrom Veteran’s Day to December 2, during the Trees for Troops program.  The company donated twice the amount of trees it did last year. Mahoney’s is now the number one generator for the program in North America. “We want to thank everyone that donated a tree for “Trees for Troops,” Paul Waxman Director of Marketing said in a press release. “This is a program that we hold very close to our hearts, and we’re so proud that our community has been so generous to our military families.” Fed ex donated …

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Military Dream Wedding Giveaway

Deadline to enter is Dec. 15.

POTD: Veteran Purchases House Through 'Home For The Brave' Program

Program offered for veterans by The Savings Bank.

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by The Savings Bank.) US Army Veteran Kurt Steenbruggen, (second from left), recently closed on the mortgage for his new Tewksbury home through The Savings Bank’s Home For The Brave program. The program, which is available to U.S. Armed Services veterans, active duty personnel and surviving spouses of military personnel, offers up to 100% financing for single family homes and condominiums, and up to 95% financing for two or four family multi-family homes for Massachusetts residents who qualify for the program. Joining Kurt at the closing were (from left) real estate broker Heather LoRe of Spindler & O’Neil; Jeff D’Alessandro, Retail Lending Officer, The Savings Bank; and Attorney Mark…

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PHOTOS: Tewksbury Memorial Day Ceremony

Those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country are remembered in a somber ceremony.

Several hundred residents gathered at the Tewksbury Cemetery on Monday, as those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country, in a somber Memorial Day service. Many of those who spoke at the service, including several local and state political leaders, spoke of the need to do more for veterans who return home from active duty, including health and psychological care, housing and jobs. But it was the speech by State Police Trooper and Army Sfc. Kenneth Lombardi that had those in attendance locked onto every word and had some wiping away tears. Lombardi shared personal stories of men he had served with and the remarkable sacrifices they made to serve their country. Some made it home safely, some with severe injuries, some …

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Tewksbury Family Surpasses Goal in Fenway Walk For Wounded Troops

One local family is walking to help raise funds and awareness about "invisible wounds."

The Marchant Family will cross home plate at Fenway Park this Sunday, May 20, to support wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan by participating in the 3rd annual Run-Walk Home Base presented by New Balance.  The 3-mile walk/9K run event raises funds for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program which provides clinical care and support services for veterans with Post Traumatic or Traumatic Brain Injuries and their families, according to the Run to Home Base website. Three thousand runners and walkers, including 500 active–duty military members are expected to participate on Sunday morning. Avid Red Sox Fans, Stephen, Kelli and their daughters Haley (13) and Caitlin (9) were familiar with the …

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Service To Mark 40th Anniversary Of Deadly Explosion

Blast felt 15 miles away, crippled Tewksbury Fire Department.

Richard Hamm was just a boy when, on Feb. 9, 1972, a massive explosion at the Lowell Gas Co. plant on Chapman Road literally sent shockwaves through the town of Tewksbury. The blast, which could be felt 15 miles away, rocked Hamm's family home, which was located just a quarter-mile from the plant, knocking items off shelves and off the walls. "My mother thought it was my brother and me (horsing) around," said Hamm, now a veteran member of the Tewksbury Fire Department. The explosion injured nearly two dozen Tewksbury Firefighters, several seriously. Firefighter William McAllister died from his injuries a week later. Capt. Frederick Millett also sustained injuries that night, injuries that contributed to a fatal heart attack 11 months later…

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need To Know Today: Thursday, Jan. 19

Bits of knowledge that will help to make you the smartest person at your breakfast table.

Here are 5 pieces of information designed to start your Thursday the right way and to help make you the smartest person who spent Wednesday on your SOPA box and knew why Wikipedia was offline. 1. Your Local Weather Forecast: According to the NWS, there will be a slight chance of snow after 3pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 28. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.Thursday Night: Snow likely, mainly between 11pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. South wind between 5 and 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. 2. Show Us Your Mustache!: Wes Welker, All-Pro flanker for the New England has grown a playoff mustache and so-far, so good. We want …

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Tewksbury Hero Honored For Service In Afghanistan

Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Lombardi has been in the National Guard for 17 years and is on his third deployment since 2002.

(Editor's note: The following information was submitted by the United States Army Office of Public Affairs.) A Tewksbury resident was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for service during an award ceremony on Camp Julien-Dubs here Jan. 10, 2012. Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Lombardi has served as the Camp Julien-Dubs Base Support Group noncommissioned officer in charge for Task Force Yankee, 26th “Yankee” Brigade, Massachusetts Army National Guard, in Kabul since April 15, 2011. The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service. Lombardi, who is a military police officer and has …

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Local Hero Asks Residents To Help Returning Soldiers

Flanagan shares personal struggle against depression, difficulty adjusting to civilian life.

Major Stephen Flanagan was visibly nervous as he began his Veterans Day speech before friends and neighbors in his hometown. But when began talking about the difficulties faced by veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, as they sought to make the adjustment back to civilian life, any jitters disappeared and the decorated war hero spoke with the conviction and passion of a leader committed to doing everything in his power to make sure that a few years of honorable service don't turn into a lifetime of suffering. "33,000 servicemen have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan physically wounded," said Flanagan. "Countless more have returned home with psychological issues. Across the nation, the rates of depression, suicide and homelessness …

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QOTW: Who Were The Heroes Of The Great Blackout of 2011

Readers have shared horror stories from the storm and subsequent power outages. What about the other side?

The power outages caused by last weekend's storm made life miserable on thousands of people. But where there is misery, there are often heroes --- people who step up and go above-and-beyond to help their neighbors. We want to hear about these folks. So our Question of the Week is this --Who were the heroes of the Great Blackout of 2011 and how did they help their friends and neighbors get through a very difficult time? Share your stories in the comment section.

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