Westborough veterans leaders outline services, outreach and a push for a permanent veterans space

Marshall Preston, host of Veterans Corner and a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, opened the program and said the episode was intended to connect residents with local resources and spotlight veteran service organizations. Guests included Tony Pitman of VFW Post 9013, John Gallinoff of American Legion Post 1063, and Jacel Franco, a veteran services officer for the District of Central Massachusetts.

The speakers outlined a range of local activities and services: poppy drives and free breakfasts from the American Legion; scholarships, community fundraising and monthly meetings from the VFW; and casework, benefits help and housing-prevention efforts from the veteran services office. "The current count of veterans in Westborough, we've got about 5,470," Preston said, urging coordinated outreach to veterans who are not members of traditional organizations.

Why it matters: speakers said many veterans do not seek services because they do not “look like a veteran” or do not recognize they may be eligible for help. The panel discussed multi-generational outreach, school and library partnerships to archive veterans’ stories, and low-barrier programs such as monthly coffee meetups to reduce isolation.

The program closed with a request to town leadership: the veterans groups asked that the planned community center include a shared veterans space for meetings, coffee hours and occasional programming, not just office space for VSOs. Marshall Preston said town officials have placed veterans on the community-center plan but that the groups want a larger, dedicated home for veterans' activity.