North Shore Salute To Veterans Breakfast To Celebrate Service

PEABODY, MA — Nominations are sought for the Minutemen Services Awards as part of the inaugural Salute to Veterans Breakfast celebration of North Shore patriotism, service and the nation's military and veterans communities this Veterans Day.

The North Shore Chamber of Commerce and UniCare will co-host the breakfast on Nov. 9 at 7:30 a.m. at the Boston Marriott Peabody. The program will include the presentation of the new Minuteman Service Award recognizing "remarkable acts of selfless dedication and outstanding leadership to the nation on behalf of active-duty military or veterans."

"Giving back and serving those who serve is who we are at UniCare — it's embedded in our culture and in the work we do every day to advance better health for our members and our communities," said David Morales, general manager of UniCare, a health benefits company in Massachusetts.

"In that spirit of service, we're honored to partner with the North Shore Chamber to recognize those who have selflessly served our nation in defense of our freedoms."

Two Minuteman Service Awards will be presented at the 2021 Salute to Veterans breakfast — one to an individual and one to an organization or a business that has demonstrated exceptional service to the military and/or veterans community through volunteering, advocacy, community
projects or other actions.

Nominees must reside, do business or operate in Massachusetts and have devoted significant time to public service in the local community and/or the commonwealth.

Nominations can be made here with a deadline of Oct. 1.

Karen Andreas, president and chief executive officer of the North Shore Chamber, said she is proud to join with one of the Chamber's dedicated members in recognizing the commitment and valor of the nation's active military and veterans.

"Service is a key component of the Chamber," North Shore Chamber President and CEO Karen Andreas said, "and giving back to those who have served and continue to serve our country to uphold our democracy is paramount to our mission not only as members of the business community but as citizens of our greater community."

Speakers include U.S. Army Sgt. Major Kyle Lamb, a 21-year veteran of Special Operations Forces who was involved in the "Black Hawk Down" battle in Somalia, and U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Marisol A. Chalas, the first Latina National Guard Black Hawk helicopter pilot.

Tickets to the Salute to Veterans Breakfast are $45 for North Shore Chamber members and $65 for nonmembers. A number of free tickets are being set aside for veterans from throughout the region, and sponsors are being sought to support those tickets.

Tickets can be reserved here. For details about sponsorships, contact the Chamber Director of Sales and Marketing Cheryl Begin at 978-774-8586, Ext. 101 or cheryl.begin@northshorechamber.org.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)