Lowell Veterans Commission Unanimously Nominates Departing Member for Recognition Award

LOWELL — May 14, 2025 — Lowell Veterans Commission unanimously nominates outgoing member Jackie Kohl's for its Veterans Recognition Program. The commission, meeting May 14, voted without dissent to honor Kohl's, credited by the acting chair as "the driving force" behind the group's expanded Memorial Day programming over the past year, including a banner-viewing ceremony planned for May 23 that is expected to draw roughly 200 ROC students and a class of fourth graders. Veterans Agent Eric Lamash reported that commemorative banners had been presented to families the night before the meeting and handed to the city's Department of Public Works for installation, with a flag-placing ceremony at Edson Cemetery set for May 16 at 10 a.m. Mike Peasley, veterans trustee of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, urged the commission to consider the city-owned auditorium — where a previous inquiry had drawn a $500 venue fee — for future events now that the Greater Lowell Veterans Council has disbanded and its reserved holiday dates have been released. The commission's next regular meeting is June 11 at 5 p.m., with the Lowell Housing Authority expected to present on veterans housing.