SHREWSBURY, MA — A Shrewsbury veteran and longtime community volunteer was honored this spring during the state’s second annual Massachusetts Military Appreciation Day.
State Rep. Hannah Kane nominated Art Dobson for the recognition, citing his military service and decades of contributions to Shrewsbury, according to Kane’s mid-year update. Dobson was unable to attend the ceremony in the Massachusetts State House’s House Chamber, but Kane visited him on Memorial Day to present him with a House citation, a governor’s citation and memorabilia from the event, including a challenge coin.
The event was hosted by the Executive Office of Veterans Services in collaboration with the Massachusetts Legislature. It recognizes veterans, active-duty service members and military families from across Massachusetts.
The program began in May 2025 to honor people who serve both their country and their local communities. Each legislator was invited to nominate a member of their local military community for recognition.
Dobson joined the Marine Corps after graduating from high school and served for three years before being discharged in 1954, according to Kane. He later moved to Shrewsbury and worked at Iandoli’s Supermarkets before becoming a manufacturer’s representative, helping food producers sell their products in local stores.
Dobson has also been a member of the Shrewsbury Rotary Club for more than 40 years. In 1992, he helped establish a Rotary Club in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Kane said Dobson’s volunteer work has had a positive impact on the community and reflects the dedication of the local military community.
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