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Gately Community Connections | |
| For Our Community of Caregivers |
May 2010 |
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Table of Contents
Rotary Golf Tournament May 24th
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 Rotary Club of Melrose For more than seven years, the Rotary Club of Melrose has held its annual charitable Golf Tournament to raise funds that support many of the Rotary's service projects throughout the year. This year's event, to be held on May 24th at the Bellevue Golf Club is chaired by John Gately and features an Awards Luncheon.
 Attorney Ted Craft, this year's Rotary President will preside at the Awards Luncheon, giving over the responsibility of announcing and distributing the awards to John Gately. "John is responsible for all the frivolity at the event," said Attorney Craft.
The Rotary Club of Melrose is accepting registrations of foursomes or individuals for $125 each, which includes the Awards Luncheon. Individuals can come to lunch without the round of golf for $25.
"There are still opportunities to support the Golf Tournament," explained John Gately. "Businesses can sponsor a hole for $100 - Prime holes, #1, #18, and #10 are $150." It is clear why #1 and #18 are considered "prime," but #10? Ted Craft explained, "The #10 hole is the first one the second time around the course. You get to tee-off in front of the Clubhouse with everyone watching! That makes #10 a great place for a sponsor to advertise his or her business!"
The Golf Tournament begins at 7:30 am. To register or to sponsor a hole, call John Gately at 781-665-1949.
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Tribute to Veterans
Gately Funeral Home has had a long history of commitment to veterans who come to us for their final tribute. It is our privilege to serve them and to add a mark of distinction to their funeral service. Some very special veterans have come to us in the past: A POW who spent 20 months in Stalag 17 after flying B-17 bombers ... another who served for three years in a "flying fortress" in the nose of a gun turret ... and a Vietnam veteran whose service included full military honors with a 21-gun salute. We do all that we can for the families to ensure that their veteran receives the honors and benefits he or she deserves.
Our staff is fully trained to handle every detail of a veteran's funeral service. This includes answering questions about military protocol, assuring that legal requirements are met, and providing whatever equipment, facilities, and technical services that may be needed. We apply for all VA benefits, file for Veterans Life Insurance, and arrange all military honors.
Military honors are available to all veterans regardless of rank or location of burial or cremation. The service can include an active duty honor guard or one provided by a local volunteer veterans group. Arrangements can be made for a Chaplain to speak, flag folding and presentation, rifle salute and the playing of TAPS. Gately Funeral Home makes all the arrangements for these ceremonial activities. We also obtain a burial flag and bronze grave marker for our veterans.
We are proud to pay tribute to those who served, and upon the family's request, we will ensure that the veteran receives dignified military funeral honors.
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Never Too Late
It is never too late to apply for a United States burial flag and/or grave marker for veterans. At Gately Funeral Home we are pleased to do that for families whose veterans did not have them at the time of their funeral - regardless of which funeral home provided the service.
Drop by Gately Funeral Home with the veteran's discharge papers (DD214) or call us at 781-665-1949 and we'll be happy to provide that service with no fee or obligation.
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Natalee Webb Reaches Out to Veterans
 Natalee Webb comes from a family with a rich history of military service. When she graduated high school in the 1970s, she didn't want to study to be a teacher or a nurse. She wanted to continue her family's military tradition, so she enlisted and served in the Air Force in Okinawa, Japan and Kwang Gu, Korea. A disabled veteran, Natalee is keenly aware that veterans need to know what benefits they are entitled to.
Since July 2009 Natalee has been the Veterans Service Officer in Melrose. She explains, "Massachusetts is the only state to have a benefits program for Veterans in addition to what the Federal government provides. MA Chapter 115 was enacted after the Civil War and it provides financial assistance on a needs-basis. However, even if veterans or widows or dependents exceed the income cap, they are still eligible for medical reimbursement."
Federal Benefits include compensation and pension for disabled veterans, widow's pensions, education, housing, research of records, transition assistance, health care, home loan guarantees, burial and memorial benefits... and more. In addition, emergency relief is available through Operation Home Front, which deals with issues concerning the families of servicemen and women left behind.
Natalee has worked very closely with veterans to explain the sometimes confusing issues surrounding their benefits. She has also worked with John Gately and the Gately Funeral Home to provide funeral services for veterans whose families didn't have the finances for burial. "At a time of loss, this was a tremendous worry - veterans deserve to be buried with dignity," Natalee said.
Natalee remembers two widows who came to her for assistance because their loved ones did not receive veterans burial services with honor guard and burial flag. John Gately and Congressman Ed Markey both donated flags for the widows, one of which was used in a flag folding ceremony arranged by the Gately Funeral Home and presented to the family. John Gately also arranged for an Honor Guard of representatives from the Air Force and National Guard. Out-of-town family members were invited and Natalee reported that the families expressed their gratitude for Gately's assistance in providing these meaningful services.
The City of Melrose Veterans Service Office not only offers assistance with obtaining financial benefits but with other benefits as well. Their new Web site, http://www.We-remember.net, which will launch in late May, will detail the services available. Natalee stresses, "When veterans or family members have questions or an immediate need, the first step is to call their Veterans Service Officer. My number is 781-979-4186 and 781-389-6490 for urgent matters."
One of Natalee's initiatives is the Armed Forces Day Salute to Veterans to be held on May 15th with a full day of scheduled activities, including an escorted March of Veterans, A Heroes Run/Walk, a post-race luncheon for runners/walkers, and an evening Dinner/Dance -- free to Melrose residents. Registration is required. Call the Mayor's Office at 781-979-4440.
"Honoring our service men and women is very important to me," Natalee said. "One thing is for sure: benefits are underutilized. A major part of my job is outreach to let our veterans know what's available to help them. I'm proud to have served my country and I understand the needs of veterans and their families."
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St. Mary's School Celebrates 100 Years!
 This year marks 100 years of a rich tradition in Melrose -- St. Mary's School completes a century of faith formation, and academic excellence. In 1909 the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus ushered in the school year in a brand new school, beginning a tradition of Catholic education that has grown stronger over the years. The school has weathered many challenges, including an infantile paralysis (polio) scare in 1916 and the scarlet fever epidemic in 1919. There have been moves and additions to the buildings. In 1973 a kindergarten was established in the basement of the new wing of the Convent. In 1982 the Holy Child Sisters could no longer continue to provide staff for the school, leading to their departure. Now the students are taught by a staff of lay professionals. There have been many events since September that commemorated a century of success for St. Mary's School. This year of celebration will be capped by a Centennial Gala to be held June 5th at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston. A committee member for this gala event, John Gately urges, "Be sure to purchase your tickets soon. A memorable evening is planned with alumni and the general public invited to attend and join in the festivities. The Gately family is proud to be associated with this wonderful institution in Melrose. I'm a graduate, as are my wife and both my children." Tickets can be purchased on the St. Mary's School Web site at www.stmarysschool100th.org.
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 20th Year as Golf Tournament Chair!Although it doesn't seem possible the 26th Annual Melrose Family YMCA Charity Golf Tournament will be chaired for the 20th year by John Gately. John explains, "This yearly event is a joy to support. The monies raised are used to send kids to day camp for fun, safe, and healthy activities. It also funds after school programs, teen leadership training, sports programs, and special health and fitness programs for seniors."
To be held at the Bellevue Golf Club in Melrose on June 14th, this event will benefit the Melrose YMCA Scholarship fund. More than 120 local residents and business owners are expected to attend this year's affair, which will include a luncheon, cookout, social hour, and awards program.
The entry fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, social hour, prizes and dinner! Many prizes will be awarded for golfing excellence in several categories. For more information on attendance or corporate hole sponsorship, contact Diana Ganz or Kathleen Gorman at the YMCA at 781-665-4360.
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Since 1889 the firm of Gately Funeral Home has been dedicated to providing the people of Melrose and surrounding communities funeral services unsurpassed in quality and caring. We thank you for your continuing support. It is our honor to assist your families in times of need.
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Contact Info
For more information about the articles in this issue of Gately Community Connections or to contribute to a future issue, contact John Gately at info@gatelyfh.com. Gately Funeral Home is located at 79 West Foster Street, Melrose MA 02176. |
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