Honoring Our Veterans: Probation Employees Who Served Our Country

Springfield District Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer Margaret Oglesby

Southern Berkshire District Court Probation Officer Mike Duma

Chicopee District Court Probation Officer Andrew Theberge

Superior Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer Emmanuel Fernandes

In honor of Veterans' Day and in this season of Thanksgiving, the Massachusetts Probation Service salutes the proud men and women who served our country and are thankful for their safe return.

A dozen Probation employees were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since the war began seven years ago. All 12 have returned home and to their jobs with the Massachusetts Probation Service.

The brave men and women include Attleboro District Court Probation Officer II David Powers, Attleboro District Court Probation Officer Mark DesLauriers, Chicopee District Court Probation Officer Andrew Theberge, Eastern Hampshire District Court Probation Officer Jason Harder, Holyoke District Court Probation Officer Antonio Padilla, Plymouth Superior Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer Emmanuel Fernandes, Plymouth Juvenile Court Probation Officer James Quinn, Springfield District Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer Margaret Oglesby and Quincy District Court Probation Officer Susan Hart Forzese. Southern Berkshire County Probation Officer Michael Duma, Assistant Electronic Monitoring Coordinator Stephen Ware, and Suffolk Superior  Court Probation Officer Edward Flynn have all returned from military leave in the past three months.

Flynn and Duma are two of the last Probation employees to return from deployment.

Flynn returned to Suffolk Superior Court this summer. Duma is scheduled to return this week to his job at Southern Berkshire District Court in Great Barrington.

Reflecting on Veterans' Day, Flynn said, "We as Probation Officers are patriotic and are proud of our country and our service in the U.S. military. As a Probation Officer, I'm also proud of the number of Probation Officers who served our country and now continue that same dedicated service in protecting our communities and neighborhoods."

All of the Probation employees, who were deployed and have returned stateside, have expressed gratitude.

When Plymouth Superior Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer Emmanuel Fernandes reflects on his time at war, he remembers the encouragement and well wishes he received from his probation and Trial Court colleagues—many of whom he said did not know him personally. Fernandes recalls how his co-workers joined together to support his wife and two young children.

"My colleagues were amazing. They reached out to my wife and my children at Christmas time and sent me encouraging letters. I couldn't ask for more thoughtful and caring colleagues," Fernandes recalled.

Southern Berkshire Probation Officer Duma said before being deployed that his experience serving his country inspired him to help fellow veterans who have experienced a rough transition from military to civilian life.  Through his experience, Dumas is also able to spot such issues as Post Traumatic Stress Symptom among probationers and court-involved veterans.

"As a soldier who has served in the military, I recognize when I see that a court-involved individual is suffering and how this may impact their behavior," Dumas said.

Springfield District Court Assistant Chief Probation Officer Margaret Oglesby, a recently retired Military Police Major in the Army National Guard, continues her support of veterans and veterans' issues as a recently sworn in trustee of the Soldiers' Home in Holyoke.

"I was proud to serve my country. And, I feel so blessed to be back home and helping those in need," Oglesby said.