On November 12, 2025, Rotarians from across District 7930 gather to honor military veterans at the PDG Bob Wood Memorial Heroes Celebration, held at the Andover Country Club. The event recognized and celebrated veterans from throughout the district for their service and dedication to their country. Each Hero designated was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow recognition in appreciation for their service to our country.It was a wonderful turnout to acknowledge and support our Heroes, and we were particularly inspired by the powerful speeches by our guests of honor BG Jack Hammond and Rotary International Director Chris Etienne with the touching story of Micaila Britto, the presence of her Service Dog, Rabbit. We were privileged to have special guests from Rotary International Celeste Herbert and Mary Shackleton and PDG Bob Wood’s widow Susan Wood.
The evening’s featured speaker was Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base. Home Base is a national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for Veterans of all eras, Service Members, Military Families and Families of the Fallen through world-class, direct clinical care, wellness, education and research, all at no cost to them, regardless of era of service, discharge status or geographical location.
General Hammond spoke about the continued mission to provide clinical care, wellness, and support for those who have served, underscoring the importance of community efforts like Rotary’s to honor and assist veterans. Military veterans suffer much higher instances of suicide than the general population. More than 150,000 veterans have lost their lives to suicide since 2001. Home Base offers new treatments to ensure a brighter future for Warriors and their Families.District 7930 and our clubs honored 32 veterans throughout the region. The ceremony continues the legacy of Bob Wood, a dedicated Rotarian and veteran whose commitment to service and community inspired the annual event.
The veterans honored are as follows:
BG Jack Hammond, US Army (D7930)
Micaila Britto, USMC (D7930)
Sandy Carlisle, USN (Amesbury)
Sanders “Peter Witman, USMC (Andover)
Peter Hersee, Army National Guard (Beverly)
Dominic Marcellino, USMC (Burlington)
Kevin McKevley, US Army (Burlington Breakfast)
Rev. Dr. Francesco Passamonte, USAF (Burlington Breakfast)
Chely Lussier Poppe, Mass National Guard (Chelsea)
Douglas Mauch, US Army (Chelsea)
Frank Kowalski, National Guard (Chelsea)
Lynne Kelly, US Coast Guard (D7930 E-Club)
Bob Arsenault, USAF (Ipswich-Rowley)
Bob Snow, USMC (Ipswich-Rowley)
Larry Jordan, USMC (Ipswich-Rowley)
Jim Tedford, Army National Guard (Ipswich-Rowley)
Bob Gravino, Coast Guard (Ipswich-Rowley)
Bob Wicks, Army National Guard (Ipswich-Rowley)
Eric Daniels, US Army (Lynn)
BG Andrea Gayle Bennet, Mass Army National Guard (Lynn)
Dr. Alicia Reddin, USN (Lynn)
Harry Christensen, Jr., posthumously, USMC (Marblehead)
Timothy Dube, USMC, (Newburyport)
Melvin Babner, posthumously, US Army (Peabody)
Phil Steward, USAF, (Reading)
John Mazzeo, USMC (Rockport)
Brooklyn Northrup, USAF (Salem)
Gus DaCunha, Viet Nam veteran (Somerville)
Jim Lamb, US Army (Stoneham)
Bill Goss, USMC (Stoneham)
David Emerton USMC (Swampscott)
David Mangan, USAF (Wakefield)
In conjunction with the event, our District is pledging a $20,000 grant to Home Base for backpack to be assembled at our District Conference and then distributed to veterans in Home Base’s programs. If your club can contribute to this, it is not too late. Contact Joan Kelly Arsenault to contribute or with questions.