Testimonials
“ It is an honor to lead the soldiers of the 1/181st Infantry, and to experience the outstanding effort organizations such as Guard Support of Massachusetts put forward to support the soldiers and families in this challenging time. I truly appreciate the resources that Guard Support has made available for our Deployment Ceremony. As commander, support like this lessens my burden of trying to gather resources, and allows me to focus on the soldiers. Guard Support has supported us in the past and knowing the support continues is a great benefit for the families of the 181st.
— Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Couture, Commander, 1/181st Infantry
“ I would like to thank Guard Support for the grants to the Family Readiness Groups of the 379th Engineers Detachment 1 Company. In a time when budgets are constrained and tightening daily, it's refreshing to know that an organization understands the needs of the families struggling through the deployment of loved ones. The knowledge that our loved ones will be looked after in our absence is as crucial to a unit's morale as food and pay. This grant will help to enable our soldiers to focus on completing the tasks at hand and our ultimate objective to complete the mission and return home safely to our waiting families.
— Captain Christopher Furlong, Company Commander, 379th Engineers Detachment 1 Company
“ Thank you to Guard Support of Massachusetts for the Family Readiness Group grant awarded to the 164th Transportation Detachment. The value of a Family Readiness Group cannot be over-emphasized. Knowing that there is such a strong support system in place to care for the myriad of concerns that our family members have, allows my unit to concentrate fully on their mission. The FRG is as integral a part of our force as the soldiers themselves. We're blessed to have such support.
— First Lieutenant Stacey Williams-Beaton, Detachment Commander, 164th Transportation Battalion
“ Thank you Guard Support for the FRG grant awarded to A Co1-181 IN. It is extremely important to build the morale of the unit, friends and families. During my last tour in Iraq, working in a multi service environment the mantra we heard repeatedly was "One Team, One Fight". The motto proved true then as well as now. Regardless of what service, country, race, religion, or sex; it takes everyone's effort to bring the fight to the enemy. Now as a Commander, I see that it is not only the boots on the ground that will ensure victory but also the support of families and friends of the 1-181. Thank You again for the FRG Grant and your continued support in our future endeavors.
— First Lieutenant Frank J Baranoski, Commander, A Co 1-181 IN
“ Thank you all. I can never say it enough this is a great organization and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. If there is anything I can do feel free to contact me. You all are doing something wonderful for us Guard soldiers. Thank You!
— Specialist Kenneth Mendoza, Mass. National Guard member, Westfield, MA
“ I want to say thank you for all that you and Guard Support does to help Mass. National Guard soldiers and their families. I hope that soon I can return to work and get my life back. I hate to be in this situation and having to depend on others to assist me. I'm very grateful to all of you and for the assistance that you are giving me.
— Anonymous, Mass. National Guard member, Leominster, MA
“ We would like to say a big Thank You to Guard Support for our recent grant! We are a new Family Readiness Group and thanks to GSMA and these start-up funds, we will be able to focus on our families and getting established within our unit, which is getting ready for a 9/2010 deployment. We are so grateful that such a fantastic organization is available as a resource to help us on our journey!
— Sidra Baranoski, Co-Chair, A Co. 1-181 INF Family Readiness Group
“ On behalf of the 104th Fighter Wing Family Readiness Group and the 104th Fighter Wing families we would like to express our sincere gratitude for the Guard Support grant. The grant funds will be used to help defray costs for our annual Children's Christmas Party for both deployed and non-deployed families. We are expecting over 225 children to attend and the smiles on the children's faces tell the whole story.
— Patricia Connors, Chair, 104th Fighter Wing Family Readiness Group
“We are grateful and thankful to Guard Support of Massachusetts for their dedication and support of the soldiers we serve at CBWTU-MA. GSMA’s generous grant recognizes the overwhelming dedication of our warriors and gives us all renewed appreciation for the important work performed by the members of our Family Readiness Group.
— Major Mark A. O'Clair, Commander, CBWTU-MAThe CBWTU-MA is an active-duty Army unit that remotely manages the healthcare needs of over 250 wounded warriors in New England, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Unit members consist of National Guard, Army Reserve and Active Army soldiers who have been injured while mobilized for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since its inception in late 2003, the CBWTU-MA unit has helped over one thousand soldiers - returning 70% back to the fighting force.
“Thanks to Guard Support of Massachusetts, the Family Readiness Group (FRG) grant will provide vital seed funding for the growth and success of the FRG, helping us to communicate and promote our goals and achievements. I think this is fantastic and great support for our soldiers.
— Captain Nicholas S. Mascata, Company Commander, Alpha Company 126th Brigade Support Battalion
“On behalf of the Commander, Captain James Jones II, and the 747 MP CO, I wish to thank Guard Support of Massachusetts (GSMA) for your generous donations and dedication to serving our soldiers. Due to the GSMA's significant contributions, all of our soldiers benefitted from free, comfortable, roundtrip transportation to and from Massachusetts in order to visit with their families and friends before deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The GSMA’s compassion reminds the troops of the love and undying support for their sacrifices. In conclusion, I thank you for enabling all of our troops to experience that last hug, kiss, crying shoulder, “I love you,” and smile before departing for their military service.
— 1LT Justin Prophet, MP, Platoon Leader, Unit Public Affairs Representative
“Guard Support is amazing. We came to you in a time of potential crisis and you listened, understood and supported us more completely than I ever expected. You were patient and helped our Guard families and soldiers. I can't thank you enough.
— Stephanie Winslow, Chairperson, Family Readiness Group of the 747 Military Police Company
“Thanks to Guard Support of Massachusetts for helping our soldiers get home to their loved ones at no cost before they deploy. It is caring citizens such as yourself that make our family support system that much stronger.
— LTC Steven Fernandez, Deputy Commander, 26th “Yankee” Brigade
“I can’t thank Guard Support enough for their generous donation to the 747th Military Police Company. It’s organizations like yours that lessen the burden on soldiers and their families.
— CSM Bill Davidson, 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
“Our Family Readiness Group (FRG) is group of family members of deploying soldiers. Up until we received the GSMA FRG grant, we have been doing whatever we can on our own. The GSMA grant has made it possible for our Family Readiness Group to help to keep spirits up and give help where it is needed in ways of support, as well as sending newsletters to all of the families with information to help them. We are truly grateful to GSMA for all of the help and support we have been given. Thank you.
— Sheila Layton, Treasurer, Family Readiness Group of the 101 Engineers HSC, Whitinsville, MA
“I would like to express my gratitude to Guard Support for the grant to cover the expenses I incurred while visiting my husband at West Point while he was recovering from an injury. Just when I think I can’t feel any more proud of being a soldier’s wife, I am reminded time and again by organizations, such as yours. Words can not express my appreciation. Our citizen-soldiers are lucky to be able to depend on Guard Support in times of need. Thank you again for all your help.
— Alisa Harvie, Wife of SGT Kevin P. Harvie
“You all continue to be one of our greatest partners and supporters. SSG Downing and his wife were applauded and honored by all at the Freedom Salute in a major way. The clapping and cheering went on for several minutes and it was an exceptional time - all made possible by Guard Support. We can't thank you enough. You all are truly friends and fellow Warriors indeed.”
— MAJ David Hencke, Joint Force HQs - MA/J1 Chief, Deployment Cycle Support Opn Total Warrior (MA Yellow Ribbon)
“In just a short time working with Guard Support I am already on my way to making my dreams and ideas a reality. Guard Support has been great to work with. They have listened to my ideas and shown that they will work hard with me and for me to make them happen. I am quite pleased with the help I am receiving. Guard Support has greatly improved my confidence in being successful.”
— SSG Heath Hobson
“I just wanted to thank you for all your help. It makes my family and I sleep better at night knowing there are wonderful and caring people out there like you.”
— Anonymous, Massachusetts Army National Guardsman
“On behalf of the 104th Fighter Wing Family Readiness Group and the 104th families we would like to express our sincere gratitude. The money was used to help defray costs for our annual children’s Christmas party. The smiles on the children’s faces told the whole story.”
— Patricia Connors, Chair, 104th Family Readiness Group
“Guard Support was one of the institutions selected to receive proceeds from Larry Izzo's ’Karaoke with Larry Izzo and the New England Patriots - A benefit for our Troops and their families’. My teammates will be there to perform their best Karaoke with corporate sponsors, mingle with the fans and enjoy a great night. This will be a night for all to remember and the proceeds will go to the heroes who unselfishly served in Iraq and Afghanistan and to the families of those deceased Troops. Thank you”
— Larry Izzo
