NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (Tribune News Service) — Medals of Fidelity were presented by Brigadier General Frank Magurn of the Massachusetts National Guard to seven spouses and one daughter of deceased service members from North Andover and Boxford.

The medals are unique to Massachusetts and were created last October as part of the SPEED Act, which provides a range of assistance to military families and was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker.

“The Medal of Fidelity was created for the surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran who has passed due to their service connected disabilities,” said Joseph LeBlanc, veterans service director for North Andover and Boxford.

Magurn said the medal was intended to complement the Medal of Liberty, which is given to spouses and dependents of service members who were killed in combat or died at a later date from wounds received in combat, while the Medal of Fidelity recognizes other sources of disability.

As the medal citation explains, these can be a combat-related stress disorder, or other disorder approved by the Adjutant General, or a condition resulting from a traumatic brain injury suffered in combat.

The Medal of Fidelity also honors families of service members who eventually succumbed to conditions or injuries related to exposure to harmful toxins, herbicides, agents or materials while serving in the armed forces.

“It’s humbling to be here to represent the governor and the commonwealth as well, to recognize the sacrifice and the pain and the grief of families who have lost family members due to their service,” Magurn said.

He pointed out that while people sometimes lapsed into calling the Medal of Fidelity an award, that was the wrong term to describe it.

“I don’t think anyone would want to be awarded under the conditions that would qualify them for this medal,” Magurn said.

In addition to receiving Medals of Fidelity, and challenge coins from the Town of North Andover, the family members were also presented with citations from state senators Barry Feingold and Bruce Tarr, and State Rep. Adrianne Ramos.

Steve Bohn, veterans director for Congressman Seth Moulton, also presented the medal recipients with congressional citations.

The legislative delegation took turns addressing the honorees, who sat at the table where the North Andover Select Board normally presides in Town Hall, and thanked them for all they had done.

“It is important that we recognize that serving our country doesn’t just come at the front lines,” Ramos said. “Serving our country comes from those who are here at home, so thank you so much for your sacrifice and your time and your commitment to your family, to our country.”

Bohn described wounds he received in Afghanistan while serving with the 101st Airborne in 2008, which required multiple surgeries at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.

“So being able to be here, and being with the families, I know the struggles and sacrifices that families make all too well,” Bohn said.

LeBlanc then invited the honorees to speak, which they gradually accepted, expressing both gratitude for their medals and pride in the service members they had supported.

“Sometimes our children suffered because we put our husbands first, but I’m proud of him,” said Karen Feirman of Boxford.

She described meeting her husband, Frank, who served with the Marines in Vietnam and died five years ago, when she was 16 and he was 20.

“He worked for 25 years until he got too sick from his injuries,” Feirman said.

Doreen Pacheco of North Andover, whose husband Stephen was a sergeant in the Air Force, described him as a proud American, who was also proud to have served in Vietnam.

“The last year of his life was very tough,” Pacheco said. “Through all this time, I have to say how helpful the Veterans Administration system was to him. They were to respectful to him.”

Cathy Breen of North Andover, whose husband Allan served with the Marines in Vietnam and developed three different kinds of cancer, said he faced every challenge with courage.

“I am very proud of him,” Breen said. “Thank you for being here and thank you for this recognition. It means a lot.”

Medal of Fidelity presented to eight families

• Pamela Clenney of North Andover, wife of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Roger Clenney, U.S. Army, Purple Heart, Vietnam

• Nancy Barry of North Andover, wife of Sergeant James Barry, United States Marine Corps, Vietnam

• Carolyn Barnes of North Andover, wife of Specialist 4 Thomas Barnes, U.S. Army, Purple Heart, Vietnam

• Cathy Breen of North Andover, wife of Corporal Allan Breen, United States Marine Corps, Purple Heart, Vietnam

• Linda Gueli of North Andover, daughter of Corporal Michael Gueli, U.S. Army, POW, Purple Heart, WWII

• Elaine Brophy of North Andover, wife of Sergeant First Class Ralph Brophy, U.S. Army, Korea

• Doreen Pacheco of North Andover, wife of Sergeant Stephen Pacheco, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam

• Karen Feirman of West Boxford, wife of Lance Corporal Frank Feirman, United States Marine Corps, Purple Heart, Vietnam.

(c)2023 The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.)

Visit The Eagle-Tribune

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.