Lowell Veterans Commission Plans Three Events, Weighs Pet Kennel Grant for Homeless Vets

LOWELL — September 10, 2025 — Lowell Veterans Commission returns from summer break with Veterans Day, July Fourth plans. The commission held its first post-summer meeting September 10, welcoming new members and a guest counselor from the Lowell Vet Center, with Paul Paradise presiding as chair and Veterans Agent Eric Lamsh drawing recognition for his office's work helping city-employed veterans obtain DD Form 214 documents to buy back military service credit. No formal votes were taken, but the group set three target events — a November 10 Veterans Day ceremony likely in City Hall's foyer, a Memorial Day event possibly at the new Douglas Road park, and a Fourth of July celebration tied to the nation's 250th anniversary — while acknowledging the city absorbed significant budget cuts this fiscal year. The commission discussed pursuing kennel services for homeless veterans unwilling to surrender pets for housing, referencing a federal grant described in the meeting as $1,800 million available to veterans groups, and agreed informally to invite a staff member from Congresswoman Tran's office to brief the October meeting on pending veterans legislation. Officer elections for chair, vice chair, and secretary are scheduled for October.