SWAMPSCOTT — Sarah Sweeney and the Military Friends Foundation are making sure that veterans and their families are able to enjoy Thanksgiving this year.
While Military Friends has been providing these “Hero Meals” for over 10 years, they have taken on a new form in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, the group gave out $100 “Hero Meal” gift cards to local grocery stores as well as boxes filled with pies and snacks to local veterans and Gold Star families. Another new element this year is the foundation’s use of a curbside-pickup option.
With less than one percent of the population serving in the United States Armed Forces, Sweeney, the executive director of the Military Friends Foundation, is happy to be able to thank them.
“To give thanks, which is the meaning behind Thanksgiving, is wonderful,” she said. “We’ve had a tremendous reaction (from) the people who are coming to pick up the meals.
“Just being able to express that we’re grateful for their service and their families’ service, because their families do serve beside them and plenty of the families that we have had today are also Gold Star families. These families have made the ultimate sacrifice in service by losing their loved one. We are grateful to bring together the veteran community in this way.”
Mike Sweeney, Sarah’s husband and the director of Lynn and Swampscott’s veteran services, said that it has been great to help out the veteran community as a whole, but also veteran families in Lynn and Swampscott.
“It’s just a great ‘thank you,'” said Mike. “Especially the last couple of years has been tough on everybody and I think it’s great to have everyone get together.”
The veteran services director went on to say that he appreciates the event because everyone could use a break. Also, while veterans might hear the words “thank you for your service,” these “Hero Meals” are something that is more tangible, he added.
Sarah also stated that the Military Friends Foundation will be looking to hold a similar event in December to give out more “Hero Meals” during the holiday season.
