TREASURER TIM CAHILL ANNOUNCES OCTOBER RECIPIENT OF “VETERAN OF THE MONTH” AWARD

PLYMOUTH, MA - State Treasurer Tim Cahill recognized Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Mikaela Fahey of Plymouth, Massachusetts as this month’s "Veteran of the Month." Fahey has been in the United States Army for over eleven years in both Active Duty and National Guard roles. Fahey was stationed in Hawaii and Germany and completed tours in Macedonia, Kosovo, Iraq, and after fulfilling her first term, deployed again to Kuwait. Fahey is currently preparing for her next overseas deployment in Spring of 2010. She is the Technical Inspector assigned to the Quality Control Platoon, Company D, 3/126^th AVN Regiment as well as the unit’s fulltime Readiness NCO. Fahey continues to serve her country away from active duty, volunteering at a non-profit group, New England Troop supporters. In addition to the many challenges she faces during training and on active duty, Fahey is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Bridgewater State College.

"It is a great honor to recognize Mikaela Fahey 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.

With the initiation of the "Veteran of the Month" program by our office, we are hoping that this will give others the opportunity to claim their veterans’ bonus from Massachusetts who have served in the Armed Forces and simultaneously raise awareness for the "Welcome Home" Bonus benefit. 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, and was a small business owner 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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