The Salute to Veterans Breakfast, honoring Massachusetts veterans, active-duty military, and first responders, will be held Friday, Nov. 8, at Danversport, 161 Elliott St.
The event, a celebration of patriotism, service, and the nation’s military and veteran communities, is sponsored by the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, with premier sponsor Wellpoint and eagle sponsor O’Donnell Funeral Homes.
The program will feature the presentation of the Minuteman Service Awards, which recognize selfless dedication and support of the military and veteran communities. This year’s honorees are John Collins of Marblehead, a bugler for Taps Across America, and Windover Construction of Beverly.
John J. Collins, a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, has been supporting funeral services for members of the armed forces since 2001 after hearing a poor-quality recording of “Taps” played at a funeral. As an accomplished bugler, Collins knew that the live playing of “Taps” would be more meaningful to families. Since then, he has committed himself to providing the service on a real bugle. Collins has played “Taps” 7,706 times, logging over 14,000 hours and tens of thousands of miles across Massachusetts and New England in all weather conditions. His most memorable occasion was the burial at sea of Raymond O’Malley, the last survivor of Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, lost in World War II.
Windover Construction will be honored as the business recipient of the Minuteman Service Award. The company has built numerous supportive housing projects for homeless veterans and hosts an annual Memorial Day cookout for veterans, spearheaded by its employees’ commitment to giving back to the communities in which they work and live.
A keynote address will be presented by Master Sgt. Kevin Holland, a former member of both SEAL Team Six and Delta Force. Holland is the only publicly known operative to have served in both units over his 20-year military career. He deployed 20 times to the Middle East, conducting more than 2,000 combat missions, and has received more than 30 awards, including seven Bronze Stars (two for valor in combat) and two Purple Hearts.
Thanks to the generosity of Wellpoint, O’Donnell Funeral Homes, and other Chamber member businesses, all veterans, military members, and first responders are invited to attend for free, though advance registration is required. Tickets for the general public are $85, and $65 for Chamber members.
The breakfast will run from 7:15 to 9:30 a.m.
For more information or to reserve tickets, visit www.northshorechamber.org or call 978-774-8565, ext. 4.