Last Friday, we had the opportunity to honor Joe Firmani, Director of Operation Service, at the Boston 25 News Zip Trip in the City of Fitchburg as the DCU Hometown Hero. In 2010. Joe and his wife established “Trees for Soldiers”, a small group of residents that provides free trees to veterans and active duty service members at Christmas time. They expanded their efforts with the founding of “Operation Service”, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization that coordinates beautification projects around the twin cities of Fitchburg and Leominster.
Joe is also helping to bring “The Wall that Heals”, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., to Fitchburg. The memorial is designed to represent and say “thank you” to the 58,000 Vietnam War veterans on the wall for their service, including those from Massachusetts. Twelve men from Fitchburg that never returned from the Vietnam War will also be recognized during the ceremonies. You can watch the DCU Hometown Hero presentation with Elizabeth Hopkins and Michele Lazcano Boston 25 host of Around Town on Boston 25: