Treasurer Tim Cahill Announces August Recipient of "Veteran of the Month" Award

SOUTHBRIDGE, MA - State Treasurer Tim Cahill recognized Sergeant Edward Schwartz, a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps of Southbridge, Massachusetts, as this month’s "Veteran of the Month." In April of 2002, after being inactive for ten years, Schwartz was called to take a leave from his job as a Corrections Officers at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office to be stationed in California for Active Duty during Operation Enduring Freedom. Taking a drastic cut in pay, Sergeant Schwartz continued to serve our country as his wife battled breast cancer, his daughter attended college, and his son was on Active Duty in Japan. His son Eric, who is also a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, nominated his father.

"It is a great honor to recognize Sergeant Edward Schwartz as this month’s Veteran of the Month," said Treasurer Tim Cahill. "We owe these men and women a debt of gratitude, and one way to show it is through the "Welcome Home" Bonus. Our goal is to make all eligible service members aware of this program."

The "Welcome Home" Bonus is a tax-free cash payment available to eligible United States service members. Administered by Treasurer Cahill’s office, the program provides a bonus to service members called to active duty since September 11, 2001.

The "Veteran of the Month" award program allows our office to honor veterans’ and encourage others to claim their bonus from Massachusetts. Veterans’ of the Month have applied for, and received, their "Welcome Home" Bonus. Service members from Massachusetts who 1) served in Iraq or Afghanistan, or 2) served in any other nation in the world for a period of 180 days or more are eligible. To date, more than 17,000 applications have been approved.

For more information about the "Welcome Home" Bonus program, or for an application, please contact Treasurer Cahill’s office at www.mass.gov/treasury or 617-367-9333 x859.

Treasurer Cahill’s office also administers a bonus program for veterans’ of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The Office of Veterans’ Services administers a bonus program for Gulf War veterans’.

Timothy P. Cahill serves as Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General. He was sworn in for his second term on January 17, 2007. As the Commonwealth’s Chief Financial Officer, Cahill brings a business-minded approach to managing the state’s finances and has implemented better business practices in the Treasury’s departments and affiliated agencies. Prior to his election in 2002, Cahill served as Norfolk County Treasurer from 1997-2002, as a Quincy City Councilor from 1987-2003, was a small business owner in Quincy, and the author of a book about local businessmen. He is a graduate of Boston University and a recipient of the 2007 Eisenhower Fellowship. Treasurer Cahill lives in Quincy with his wife, Tina, and their four daughters.

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