A Veterans Day Message from JFS CEO Lino Covarrubias

Dear JFS Friends, Supporters and Collaborative Partners,

I hope this communication finds you well. However you may feel about the recent results of the election, on Veterans Day we gather to honor the courage, resilience, and sacrifices of our nation’s veterans, who have answered the call to serve in moments of profound need. This day holds a special meaning for those of us who have worn the uniform, for it is not just a remembrance—it is a reminder of the bond we share, forged through the values we pledged to uphold: duty, honor, and country.

A few weeks ago, my own journey took me to Normandy, France, on this year - the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Visiting the American Cemetery was a sobering experience. Walking past row upon row of white headstones, each marking the final resting place of a life cut short, I felt a deep and solemn respect for those who paid the ultimate price. Standing on those hallowed shores and seeing the vast field of graves brought a powerful awareness of the scale of sacrifice made by so many young Americans in the name of freedom.

Yet, there was a moment of hope and continuity that I will never forget. As I looked toward the beach where the first waves of Allied soldiers came ashore, I saw families enjoying the beach, children building sandcastles, and people basking in the beauty of a peaceful coastline. This was the very beach where, on that fateful day in June, some 800 young Americans lost their lives, as many of us have seen depicted in the brutal opening scenes of the movie Saving Private Ryan. To see families now experiencing joy and freedom there underscored the profound impact of those sacrifices—these brave souls had made it possible for future generations to live free from fear.

Today, as a veteran and as someone privileged to serve on the board of the Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative https://www.collaborate.vet/ , I am proud to work alongside an incredible network dedicated to supporting those who have served. The Collaborative’s mission is not only to recognize the contributions of veterans and their families but also to address the challenges many face after their service, from employment and housing to mental health support. Veterans and their families deserve a community that rallies behind them, ensuring they are not alone in their return to civilian life. We could use your help.

My work as CEO of Jewish Family Service (JFS) of Metrowest further emphasizes the importance of providing compassionate, comprehensive support to those in need. Veterans, especially, are deserving of such assistance as they navigate life beyond the military. Our services—mostly for aging veterans through our Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) work https://jfsmw.org/2020/11/24/assistance-for-veterans/, is a testament to the values we hold dear as a community. Through partnerships and programs, JFS is committed to building a future where veterans and their families receive the support, respect, and opportunities they have earned.

Veterans Day is a time for all Americans to reflect on the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the armed forces. As we honor our heroes, let us also recognize that this duty to serve them never ends. They fought not just for our freedom but for the promise of a nation that would stand by them, in peace as well as in war.

To my fellow veterans: thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and the example you set every day. And to the families and friends who support them, we honor you as well. May we continue to build a society that recognizes the full scope of what it means to serve and that supports veterans in every chapter of their lives.

This Veterans Day, let us recommit ourselves to being there for those who have given so much, ensuring that their courage is never forgotten and their needs are never ignored. There are plenty of opportunities to commemorate this day. If you are in Framingham on Monday Nov 11th, I have the honor of being the Master of Ceremony for the City’s Veterans Day commemoration.

Please say thank you to a veteran this weekend.