Feature
Retired, But Still Serving:
Former Troopers Help Veterans
The Home Base Program and members of the State Police family supporting our returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. By Major Anthony Thomas – Troop “D” At the recent Troop “D” Reunion, Colonel Timothy Alben spoke with retired Trooper Bill Dunderdale (47RTT) about the retired and active members of the Department who have been transporting Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans to medical appointments for the Home Base Program at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Colonel Alben asked me to learn more about and prepare an article regarding the Home Base Program and the MSP’s involvement with it. I was humbled by the people I met and by what I learned about this program designed to help our returning veterans who have sacrificed so much. The Home Base Program Following their 2004 and 2007 World Series championships, Boston Red Sox owners, management, and players visited the Walter Reed Medical Center and met returning Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. The visits with the veterans had a profound impact on the members of the Red Sox organization who were deeply moved by the enduring physical and emotional challenges these veterans face each day. The Red Sox Organization sought to make a sustained commitment to our Iraq and Afghanistan returning veterans and their families who are affected by the Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – the ‘invisible wounds’ of war. Working with the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the late Senator Edward Kennedy, and others, the Red Sox Foundation and MGH created the Home Base Program – the first program of its kind in the nation. Home Base’s focus is caring for Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who have returned home experiencing and suffering from PTS or TBI. The Home Base Program is funded primarily through contributions from donors and the extraordinary philanthropic partnership of the Red Sox Foundation and MGH. Its Executive Director, Brigadier General Jack Hammond, U.S. Army, Ret., told me that “Mr. Henry and Mr. Werner, the Red Sox owners, wanted to support our returning veterans and their families through a sustainable commitment that would help heal the invisible wounds of war.” The Home Base Mission The Home Base Program is a collaboration of partners who pledge a sustained commitment of free care to our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. MGH is one of those valued partners. The hospital’s skilled doctors, nurses, and clinical support staff are providing great care for our returning veterans suffering from the ‘invisible wounds’ of war. Ranked 1st in the nation in psychiatry, MGH has teamed up with the highly regarded Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital to provide care for TBI. Home Base provides care for veterans from all six New England states regardless of a veteran’s discharge status, insurance coverage, or ability to pay. A veteran who does not have insurance coverage will never see a bill from Home Base for their care. The Massachusetts State Police – Partnering-Up Retired Trooper Bill Dunderdale, like many members of the MSP, is a military veteran having served in the Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963. Trooper Dunderdale’s wife, Barbara, worked at MGH for
Pictured above, L-R: Lt. Gene Kee, Tpr. John Maloney (56th RTT), Sgt. Dennis Bertulli (50th RTT), Becca Weintraub Brendel/Home Base, S/Sgt. Dick DeRoche 49th RTT, Gen. Jack Hammond /Home Base - General, USMC, Ann Stewart/ Home Base, Peg Harvey/Home Base, DLT. Jim Lane (52nd RTT), Tpr. Bill Dunderdale (47th RTT), Roger Knight/Home Base, Tpr. Steve Byron (58th RTT)
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