HKennedy Veteran & Survivor Advocate

04/26/2026

Huge thank you to everyone who came out today for our Gold Star Spouses Ride — it was our biggest one yet! The weather was beautiful, but what made the day truly special was the incredible support, turnout, and shared purpose.

We ride to honor the fallen by remembering and supporting the families they left behind — and today, that mission was felt in every mile.

A special thank you to Michael J Alves for all of his effort and continued support.
To Kathie Blamire Cardona for traveling such a long way to be with us — it meant so much.
To Karen Dalton for always standing with us.

Thank you to all of the bike and car clubs, our families, and everyone who showed up to ride, support, and stand together. And a very special shoutout to the Gold Star Moms who came out — your presence means more than words can express.

We’re already looking ahead — next year will be our 5th Annual Ride, and we’re going all out. 💛🇺🇸

Stay connected for details on next year’s 5th Annual Ride — and invite others to be part of something that truly matters. 🇺🇸

04/24/2026

Honor the Fallen by standing with those who remain.

Join us Sunday for a 30-mile scenic ride raising awareness for Gold Star Spouses & Children.

📍 Meet behind Lincoln Mall Stop & Shop at noon

All vehicles welcome. Free event.

Come ride with purpose.

EVENT INFORMATION https://www.facebook.com/share/1CmL5DCNMj/

04/15/2026

All vehicles welcome! Engines on. Let’s roll.

Join us for our 4th Annual Gold Star Spouses Honor Ride 💛

We ride in honor of the heroes we lost
and in support of the spouses and children who carry their legacy forward every day.

all military & service-connected surviving spouses

🗓 April 26, 2026 • 12PM
📍 Lincoln Mall → Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery

🏍️ All vehicles welcome — motorcycles, cars, and trucks

Come ride. Come stand. Come remember.

Email: madman@namknightsblackstonevalley.org

Event info- https://www.facebook.com/share/1BVzygNDnv/

03/31/2026

03/31/2026

🇺🇸 I ACCEPTED THE HONOR A VETERAN CHALLENGE 🇺🇸

Today, I’m honoring Richard. A Vietnam Veteran that says his dog saved his life.

A veteran who means so much to me and represents the sacrifice behind our freedom.
I just made a donation to support veterans through Dare to Dream Ranch for 401Gives.

Now I’m challenging:
👉 Randell Bagwell Kelly Sheehan-Harker Rhonda Ziehl

Your turn:
✔️ Share a video honoring a veteran or picture
✔️ Make a donation
✔️ Tag 3 people

Let’s turn gratitude into action.

👉 Donate here: Www.401gives.org/organizations/dare-to-dream-ranch-inc

Freedom Has a Cost. Today, We Give Back.

03/19/2026

Join us for our 4th annual Rhode Island and Southern New england "ALL" Vehicle Ride for Gold Star Spouses on April 26, 2026 hosted by the NAM Knights. This is a FREE and informal event dedicated to honoring the all military service-connected surviving spouses. This 25-mile scenic ride offers participants a beautiful journey to commemorate the sacrifices made by our fallen and the ones they left behind

This event promises camaraderie and fun. The ride aims to bring communities together to raise awareness of the existence and need for support of surviving spouse and their children. Mark your calendar and be a part of this heartfelt tribute, where every mile traveled is a gesture of appreciation and solidarity.

For more information please go to the event link https://facebook.com/events/s/all-vehicle-honor-ride-for-gol/981762048350529/

10/30/2025

⚠️ Shutdown Update: Day 30 for Military Families

💰 Pay & Financial Impacts: The White House has indicated that troops will be paid on or around November 1. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that active-duty Coast Guard members will be paid on or about November 1 as well. However, pay for activated Reservists and Guardsmen on orders remains uncertain. Federal civilian employees, including DoDEA teachers and installation staff, have already missed paychecks, creating additional hardships for military-connected communities.

🍎 Nutrition & Food Assistance: Military and veteran families continue to turn to food programs in record numbers. At the federal level, WIC and SNAP programs will pause operations without intervention to fund these programs. For military families who rely on WIC programs overseas, their benefits will continue due to a different source of funding. Stateside Families who rely on these programs should stay in touch with their state or installation WIC office for the latest updates. If you need immediate food assistance:

📞 Call 2-1-1 to be connected with local food, rent, or utility resources.
🥕 Visit feedingamerica.org to find nearby food banks and pantries.

🏛️ Legislative Update: Despite ongoing discussions in Washington, no funding agreement or military pay legislation has advanced. The Senate is not currently scheduled to vote today on a House-passed measure to reopen the government, and is not expected to be in session this weekend after it adjourns later this afternoon. The shutdown will now likely stretch into its fifth week. We continue to encourage those who feel comfortable doing so to contact your elected representatives and share how this shutdown is affecting your family. Every story matters.

Education: As previously discussed, VA Ch. 35 tuition and housing payments are backlogged for more than 75,000 college and trade-school students who are the dependents and survivors of former military members after a software problem stopped automated delivery of their benefits. This issue was compounded by furloughed federal civilians who can fix the error. Military tuition assistance and VR&E support is delayed or paused due to the shutdown.

💙 It’s been a month now. Missed paychecks, canceled plans, unanswered questions, increasing anxiety; our military families are carrying a burden they didn’t choose. The frustration is real, and so is our commitment to you. MFAN will keep making sure you are seen, heard, and supported, even when progress feels out of reach.

We’re here. We’re listening. And we’re not going anywhere.
➡️ Share your story: milfam360.org

10/08/2025

This is in Massachusetts.
First PTSD Memorial to Be Unveiled in Honor of Veterans and Their Families. The community will gather on November 9, 2025, at 1:00 PM Connery Ave Bourne MA 02532 for the unveiling of the first PTSD Memorial, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and struggles of veterans, service members, and families affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

09/30/2025

Even if there's a government shutdown, veterans will still be able to access their health care, benefits, and memorial services from VA. Please keep your scheduled health care appointments.

VA wants to reassure veterans and their families that core services and benefits would be protected. Some less-critical services would temporarily pause.

See what would be affected: https://department.va.gov/contingency-planning/

09/28/2025

On September 28th, we honor Gold Star Mothers and Families who have lost loved ones in military service. The Gold Star represents the profound sacrifice of both service members and their families. Today and every day, we recognize that no one has given more for our nation than these service members and families.

The Army supports these families through Survivor Outreach Services, providing counseling, financial assistance, and continued connection to the military community.