Brewer recognized with top award from National Guard

By Owen Boss

WASHINGTON — The National Guard Association of the United States recently announced that Massachusetts Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, has been chosen to receive the Charles Dick Medal of Merit award at the 130th General Conference in Baltimore this month for his outstanding support for members of the Massachusetts National Guard and their families. The prestigious award was named after Maj. General Charles Dick, a member of the Ohio National Guard and a United States representative and senator who authored the law that created the Modern National Guard. The award was established in 1988 to recognize elected officials for their support of the National Guard and is one of the highest awards that can be bestowed by the Guard Association. “I am truly honored to be chosen to receive this award,” said Mr. Brewer. “I continue to be humbled by the hard work and sacrifices made by our service men and women. It has been an honor to advocate for their needs through my position as Senate chair of the Joint Committee of Veterans and Federal Affairs, and I will continue to work hard for them as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.” Mr. Brewer will be recognized for his many accomplishments during his time as Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and for his lasting dedication to the continuing support of veterans. Efforts forwarded by Mr. Brewer include securing a Welcome Home $1,000 bonus for Massachusetts Guardsmen called up to active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan; establishing a Military Family Relief Fund for members of the Massachusetts National Guard, Armed Forces and Reserves; providing all members of the Massachusetts National Guard with education and fee waivers at all Massachusetts state and community colleges; increasing the daily pay for Massachusetts National Guard members; increasing death benefits for families of Massachusetts Guard members from $5,000 to $100,000; providing all members of the Massachusetts National Guard with life insurance policies with values up to $400,000 and allowing Massachusetts public employees who are members of a neighboring state’s National Guard unit to apply their creditable service toward pension credit. Mr. Brewer said he was proud of the commonwealth’s reputation as one of the most generous states in the country for veterans and said it is a testament to taxpayers across the state. “I am really honored to get this award,” said Mr. Brewer. “All it is going to do is recommit me to doing more for our veterans, who are the real heroes of our country.” The presentation of the medal will be Sept. 22, during the 130th General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States, in Baltimore, Md. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 9/12/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 216)