The 11th Annual Thanks To Yanks Tribute 9/11 Dinner was held on September 11, 2017 and full to capacity. This special non-political was a free tribute dinner recognizing all military members, veterans and their families, including Blue and Gold Star families. This event was simply a way to thank our military and emergency personnel for the sacrifices they make in order to ensure our freedoms and safety while remembering the heroes and victims of 9/11/01. In 2006, the first Tribute Dinner hosted 120 guests and this year’s dinner hosted 440 guests. This year’s program included the following:
- Flag Line with Patriot Guard Riders and Old Guard New England
- Flag Tower with Milford and Medway Fire Departments
- 9/11 Artifact and Badge of FDNY Chaplain Father Mychal Judge
- Veterans Affairs New England Mobile Office
- Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Dick Ferrucci
- Musical Host, Mr. Ron Auger
- Welcome, Mr. Michael Shain, President & Founder, Thanks To Yanks
- Presentation of Colors, Old Guard New England
- National Anthem, Ms. Shanna Jackman
- Missing Man Table Ceremony, Young Marines 3rd Battalion S.N.E.R
- Blessing of our Heroes, Father Al Faretra, St. Blaise, Bellingham, MA
- Speaker, Ms. Lynn Patton, President & CEO, Mathew Patton Foundation
- Speaker, Mr. Bruce Ware, Veterans Affairs New England
- Speaker, Mr. Don Pearce, Ride Captain, Patriot Guard Rider, Poet
- Bag Pipes, Ms. Debbie Kane and Ms. Morven Hunter Boyce
- Grace, Fire Chaplain Bob Davidson and Fire Chaplain
- Speaker, Ms. Heather Viverios
- The Honorable Francis J Larkin Lifetime Achievement Award to Ed Carr
- Closing Remarks, Ms. Donnalee Shain, Vice President & Chairman of the Board, Thanks To Yanks
- Benediction, Father Paul Clifford, St. Francis of Assisi, Braintree, MA
- Colors Retired, Old Guard New England
Thanks To Yanks president and founder, Michael Shain said, “This dinner helps bring together the local military and veteran communities to thank them for all they have sacrificed for our country. This event wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors, donors and volunteers.”
Photos were taken by DHouse Photography
Thank you to all of our sponsors.
Red Level Sponsor | Red Level Sponsor | Red Level Sponsor |
White Level Sponsors | White Level Sponsors | White Level Sponsors
Charles F. Duford Post #47 Girard Trust Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars |
Blue Level Sponsors | Blue Level Sponsors
Ms. Linda Abrams |
Blue Level Sponsors
Mr. Stephen Bradford Mrs. Barbara Shain Pam, Art and Justin Caswell |
Yellow Level Sponsors
Ms. Nina Andler Area Glass Big Daddy’s Pizza Blue Star Mothers MA Chapter 3 Mr. Michael Bradford Bright Insurance Mr. & Mrs. Mark Bucchino Mr. & Mrs. Jack Casey Mr. Dan Cicconi & Ms. Dora Messana Circle CG Farm Mr. & Mrs. John Connolly Mr. & Mrs. Richard Coppinger Corporate Investigative Services Crystal Pool and Spa D & R Associates, Inc. Mr. Dino DeBartolomeis Mrs. & Mrs. William DeVita Disabled Veterans Sporting Events Ms. Amy Donahue Edwards Memorial Funeral Home Mr. Don Ellmore Family Legal Partners PC Mr. John Fernandes, Esquire Mr. & Mrs. John Fossett Dr. Russell Fradkin & Dr. Jane Orenstein Mr. William Hanlon Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Haynes |
Yellow Level Sponsors
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Heller, DVM Highland Ridge Company Homefield Credit Union Mr. Joseph Hughart, CPA I.O.O.F. of MA Roasalie Rebekah Lodge 116 Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Izzo Jewish War Veterans Post 220 Joe the Plumber Mr. David Josselyn Mr. & Mrs. David Kowal Mr. Dale Kurtz Mr. & Mrs. Paul Lelli Mr. & Ms. Marble Mainini Mr. & Mrs. Ronad Martel Massachusetts Legacy Fund Mr. Paul Maynard Mr. Thomas McLaughlin, PC Medway Oil Co., Inc. Medway Lions Club Meineke Car Care Center Inc. MetroWest JWV Post 157 Milford Federal Savings & Loan Association Milford Rotary Club Ms. Roberta Miller Ms. Barbara Mitides |
Yellow Level Sponsors
Senator Richard Moore Murray Law Office Mr. LaRue Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Ney Ms. Marie O’Leary Oliver Ashton Post 343, Inc. Purple Ink Insurance Agency, Inc. Ms. Suzanne Ranieri Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Reed Rising Son Lodge Ms. Patricia Rosenthal Royal Thermal View Inc. Mrs. Irene Rugoletti Ms. Bethe Sullivan United Way of MA Bay & Merrimack Valley Upton VFW – Post 5594 Inc Vietnam the 50th Massachusetts Inc. Virginia Larkin Realtors Mr. William White & Ms. Stephanie Hughes-White Mr. & Mrs. Helon Wyllie Ms. Barbara Yanoff Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Zabierek Mr. & Mrs. Brian Zeiger |