Veterans Receive Coins of Excellence

The Natick Veterans Council was honored last night before the Board of Selectmen for their recent $3,500 donation to help soldiers and human resource volunteers stationed at Natick Soldier Systems Center who don't have access to transportation.

The money is going to provide transportation services for those soldiers who are stationed here for 90 days and don't have any way to get around off the base. This way they are able to do errands or get off the base for some recreational time as well.

"Even though you've taken off the uniform, you're still serving your country," Lt. Col. Frank Sobchak, the base's garrison commander, said in thanking the Veterans Council. "This has a huge impact."

"We all went through it," responded Ed Jolley, the Natick Veterans Council president. "We know what it's all about. It makes you feel good you can do it."

Sobchak and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Beausoleil presented six members of the Natick Veterans Council with Coins of Excellence as a token of their thanks. Four other members will also receive them but were not in attendance last night.

In addition, Sobchak made it known that the $3,500 that the Natick Veterans Council donated wasn't just a one-time thing, and that they have offered to continue to assist in any way that they can.