Holliston Woman Recognized for Military Volunteerism

Courtesy Amy Fahey,

The Massachusetts National Guard Recruiting Team has recognized Karen Vecchione, Office Manager for Colantonio, Inc. of Holliston, for outstanding volunteer support and dedication to the Recruit Sustainment Program. Retired in 2000 after 21 years of active military service, Karen adds this to a growing list of awards for her exemplary volunteerism helping families adjust to military life.

Karen has been involved with the Massachusetts National Guard Family Program since 2003 when her brother’s and her former unit, the 1058^th Transportation Company, deployed.  The Family Program’s motto -“Mission First, Family Always” - represents its purpose to help military families become self-sufficient, allowing soldiers to focus on their mission. Many families struggle with single parenthood, financial, transportation and home maintenance issues while their loved one is away.  The Family Program provides them with services such as lawn moving, driveway shoveling and appliance repair. During the Holidays donations of gift baskets, Christmas trees and decorations are also made.  This family assistance can really take a load off a soldier’s mind. 

Karen’s role is to ensure these families know what resources are available and how to access them. She runs monthly briefings and coordinates meetings to help them with deployment-related issues.  She stresses the importance of building a communication network among families within a unit. Supporting each other can help relieve many concerns that military life brings and provide them with a sense of cohesiveness.  

Karen can easily connect with these families: when she was deployed in 1990 for Operation Desert Storm as a single mother, there were no family support services available. Given just three days to make arrangements for the care of her 8-year-old daughter, she had to give up her apartment and depend upon her own mother for childcare.  Since her own daughter was deployed in 2005, Karen appreciates the profound difference the Family Program makes.

In 2006, Karen was awarded the Minuteman Statue for her dedication to the families from her unit during its deployment.  She also received the Molly Pitcher Award from 42^nd Division Artillery (Mech) – her daughter’s unit - which is given to "women who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the Air Defense Artillery Community".  In 2009, she was the recipient of the MA National Guard Family Program Exceptional Volunteer Award and the National Guard Bureau’s Extra Mile Award.  In 2011, Karen received the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Award.  She has also served for six years as a member of the Volunteer Support Staff for the National Volunteer Workshop and Youth Symposium and is currently the Treasurer for the MA NG Volunteer Advisory Council. 

Karen lives in Quincy and joined Colantonio, Inc. a construction management / general contracting firm, in November 2007. “We are proud of Karen,” said President Fran Colantonio.  “We are happy to see her honored for the countless hours she puts in helping our military personnel and their families.” 

 “Fran encourages me and is very flexible with me balancing my work and volunteer schedule. I couldn’t do this without his support,” Karen commented.  “In fact, he donated 40 hard hats and a ceremonial shovel to our State Conference this year. He’s behind me 100 percent.”