Former Gov. Charlie Baker Honored With Leadership Award

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — NCAA president and former Gov. Charlie Baker was honored with the "Woody" Woodhouse II Leadership Award for his dedication to veterans services this week.

The Swampscott resident was presented the award by 97-year-old Brigadier General Enoch "Woody" Woodhouse II, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The award acknowledges the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen — the approximately 16,000 service members who were among the first Black aviators and support staff in the U.S. military — and recognizes Baker for his commitment to veterans and their service.

The dinner and ceremony were held on Monday at the Blue Hill Country Club in Canton with NBC10 Boston anchor Latoyia Edwards emceeing the event.

The Inaugural Dinner was a cornerstone event for the Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation, bringing together key stakeholders, community leaders and supporters to celebrate achievements. Proceeds from the event will benefit Home Base, which has received more than $1.6 million from the Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation since 2014.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)