Miilbury Veteran Lauded As A Passionate Mentor, Coach

MILLBURY, MA — Massachusetts has a storied tradition of military service, with countless individuals dedicating their lives to protecting our nation. While words can't fully capture the immense gratitude we feel for our servicemen and women, Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to highlight a few remarkable veterans and active-duty military members from our state.

This submission comes from Heather Ann Thompson, who nominated Bruce R. Mendelsohn of Millbury.

What is the military hero’s name?

Bruce R. Mendelsohn

How do you know the military hero you’re nominating?

He's my husband!

Please describe the individual’s military service.

Bruce Mendelsohn was a U.S. Army officer from 1990 - 1993; he served in Korea and Germany. A three-year Army ROTC scholarship awardee, Mr. Mendelsohn was a Distinguished Military Graduate of Fordham University ROTC. After earning his Active Duty Commission, he served as a Company Executive Officer with the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea and as a Platoon Leader with the 8th U.S. Army in Ansbach, Germany. He graduated from the U.S. Army Airborne School; Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare School; and the Adjutant General Officer Basic Course. He was Honorably Discharged in 1993.

A dedicated and exemplary volunteer, he currently serves as Junior Vice Commander of the Jewish War Veterans Department of Massachusetts and with other veterans organizations, including The Mission Continues and Team Red, White, and Blue. In 2024, he was honored by the Medic Now Foundation with the Carmine A. Casciano "Salute to Service" award. In 2022, Patch.com designated Mr. Mendelsohn a "Local Hero" for his efforts at the MassHire Central Workforce Board, helping find full and part-time work for people across Worcester County. In 2013, he was featured in People Magazine as a Civilian First Responder during the Boston Marathon bombings.

Tell us about the military hero and what your community should know about them.

In addition to the details above, Bruce is a x who imparts to his mentees and players his infectious integrity, commitment to success, and hard work ethic. He has coached the Worcester Public Schools' High School varsity rugby team (the Wildcats) since 2021. In their first season as a varsity team (Spring 2024), the Wildcats achieved a 5-2 record and qualified for the MIAA D2 playoffs. Nevertheless, Bruce was prouder that the team earned MIAA's inaugural Bill Good Team Sportsmanship Award. When he saw that one of his players' cleats was falling apart (and unsafe), Bruce not only removed the cleats from his own feet and gave them to the player, but he also organized a "cleat drive" which collected gently used cleats from local rugby teams to distribute to Wildcats players who needed them. Bruce routinely does "small" life-altering things that often go overlooked and unnoticed but significantly enrich the lives of others.

What three words best describe the military hero?

Selfless. Energetic. Passionate.

If you know a military hero who deserves recognition, we’d love to hear from you! Simply answer a few questions, and we’ll take care of the rest.

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