MetroWest Veterans Consortium Tours Natick National Guard Readiness Center

NATICK, MA—The following was submitted by the office of Representative Carolyn C. Dykema. Want to share some news? Email charlene.arsenault@patch.com.

On Friday morning, the Massachusetts National Guard hosted the September meeting of the MetroWest Veterans Consortium at the new Natick Readiness Center. Attendees were welcomed by Major General Gary Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, and took a tour of the facility, which opened in September 2014.

MetroWest Veterans Consortium members are welcomed to Natick by Sen. Spilka and Rep. Linsky

Veterans advocates and elected officials including Rep. Carolyn Dykema of Holliston, Rep. David Linsky of Natick, Rep. Hannah Kane of Shrewsbury, Rep. Carmine Gentile of Sudbury, and Sen. Karen Spilka of Ashland learned about the history of the 26th Yankee Brigade from its commander, Colonel Charles Cody, and the role the National Guard continues to play in Natick and across Massachusetts.

(L to R) Rep. Carolyn Dykema, MetroWest RTA Administrator Ed Carr, Col. Charles Cody

“Over 8,000 Massachusetts residents serve in the National Guard, and access to state-of-the-art facilities is essential to their training and readiness,” said Rep. Dykema. “I want to thank General Keefe and Commander Cody for the opportunity to learn more about the role the Guard plays in our emergency preparedness strategy.”

Consortium members tour the Readiness Center

“The Massachusetts National Guard was honored to host the Metro-West Veterans Consortium at the Natick Readiness Center,” said Major General Keefe. “Today’s meeting enabled the Massachusetts National Guard to build relationships with our state legislative leadership by informing them and our community partners about the National Guard missions to provide well trained and equipped troops to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies in Massachusetts when activated by the Governor as well as supporting the federal military mission when activated by the President of the United States. The Massachusetts National Guard is and will remain committed to that critical mission by investing in our people, building enduring relationships with the communities we serve, and fielding winning teams.”

(L to R) Sen. Spilka, Rep. Dykema, Col. Cody, Rep. Kane, Rep. Linsky

The 26th Yankee Brigade of the Massachusetts National Guard, which traces its origins to the 26thInfantry Division, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Massachusetts Army National Guard is the oldest in the country and still contains active units who first fought at the Battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775.

Major General Keefe, 26th Yankee Brigade personnel, and MetroWest Veterans Consortium members