Lowell Veterans Panel Forges New Tie With UMass, Plans Memorial Day at Douglas Road Park

LOWELL — December 10, 2025 — Lowell's Veterans Subcommittee opened partnership talks with UMass Lowell's new director of military and veteran services at its December 10 meeting. Ted Serzinski, a Navy veteran and co-founder of the UMass Lowell student veterans organization, told members his office works with more than 1,000 military-connected students annually, including over 250 Massachusetts National Guard members who receive a full state tuition and fee waiver. The subcommittee's director of veteran services reported a hero banner submission deadline of March 15 and said a memorial square request for a possible POW cannot advance because the required approving committee has lapsed its nonprofit standing — a fix would require a City Council vote. The group also has roughly 30 winter supply buckets from Coach for Vets to distribute before Christmas, with 15 coats available immediately, including one reserved for a formerly homeless Marine the group recently helped place in housing.