Letter: Buckley Thanks Tewksbury for Support of Veterans’ Housing Initiative

Dear Tewksbury,

As the President and CEO of Soldier On Inc., I would like to thank the town of Tewksbury for its desire and willingness to work with us to provide a permanent, supportive community for veterans who are homeless and at risk of homelessness.

This 21-unit project will not only provide housing for vulnerable veterans, but will build a community for which we provide a number of services ranging from transportation, case management, financial and legal support to wellness, daily meals, complete furnishings for each unit and many more. This is our eighth project to date, with several more in various stages of development.

We had expected to break ground last fall or early this spring, however the competition for affordable
housing funding, combined with the COVID gap, rising construction and labor costs, as well as shortages have delayed the groundbreaking schedule. While this is frustrating to all of us since veterans remain homeless longer and are further at risk, we anticipate the closing soon, although we have not yet received a firm closing date.

Editor’s note: You can learn more about this project, which is supported by the Tewksbury Home Build, here.

The entire community of Tewksbury has been extremely supportive and welcoming to Soldier On, but
more importantly to the many veterans that need support that is permanent, effective — and is the right thing to do for those that selflessly served this nation. Soldier On, and myself, have made many friends in Tewksbury over the last couple of years, from town officials, local charitable groups to many other individuals and businesses. We are active members of the communities that we serve in and look forward to giving back to Tewksbury when the property is built and 21 at-risk veterans call Gordon H Mansfield Veterans Community home.

Our permanent housing projects go above and beyond the traditional operating model for similar projects. We do this by providing the supportive services mentioned above, which includes complete furnishings for all 21 units, including kitchenware, linens and towels, and everything else needed to call your unit home on day one.

One of our great supporters in town is Don McClaren and his phenomenal staff at Wamesit Lanes. On Sunday, March 12, 2023, we are holding a fundraising event at Wamesit Lanes in Tewksbury. This event will include a comedian, a 30-minute showing of the newly released documentary Silent Dignity, and a raffle and silent auction. Through our partnership with the JBJ Soul Kitchen in New Jersey, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation agreed to match our fundraising efforts specifically for this Tewksbury project; he then reached out to his friend, Robert Kraft, and the Patriots Foundation has also agreed to match fund raising efforts.

If possible, we would love to have you attend, have some fun, meet the Soldier On staff and most importantly support the veteran community! For more information visit our website (www.wesoldieron.org) or visit Wamesit Lanes website ( http://www.wamesitlanes.com ).

Bruce Buckley
President & CEO, Soldier On

Editor’s note: Tickets for this event are available here.