To the editor:
On April 9, the voters of Lynnfield will head to the polls to vote for a candidate in several contested races. One of those positions is on the Select Board. During the 26 years I have lived in Lynnfield, I have never written a letter to the editor in support of a candidate running for a local office. I will make an exception this year.
I am writing this letter in support of Joseph Connell. Simply put, Joe is one of the finest Americans I have ever met. I have been Lynnfield’s director of veterans services for the last eight years. During that time, I have met and worked with many wonderful, dedicated, patriotic, and humble veterans. None have impressed me more than Joe Connell.
Last year, during our Memorial Day celebration, I was honored to introduce “Retired Army Col.” Joseph Connell as one of the ceremony’s featured speakers. Yes, he is a retired Army colonel. Here are his numerous military achievements and accomplishments.
- 30 years of active service in the United States Army.
- Upon graduation from Norwich University, he was commissioned a field artillery officer.
- He holds master’s degrees from Central Michigan University and the Unites States Army War College, with a fellowship to the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
- He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College, Ranger School, Pathfinder School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Jumpmaster School.
- His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
- His unit awards include the Valorous Unit Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, and Army Superior Unit Award.
- He is a combat veteran with deployments to Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Since retiring from the Army in 2014, Joe, his wife, Kate, and their two children, Natalie and Jake, have lived in Lynnfield. You may have seen them maintaining the beautiful plants and flowers at the “Welcome to Lynnfield” sign on Main Street coming from Wakefield. Joe has volunteered his services to include coaching, maintaining sports fields and related equipment, overseeing Lynnfield’s Strategic Planning Committee, chairman of our new Veterans Memorial Committee, and finally, selectman. Joe Connell’s service to our great town is far from over. He cares about Lynnfield, and will continue to make decisions that are in Lynnfield’s best interest. I respectfully ask the more than 400 veterans, as well as all registered voters, to join me and my family in support of Select Board candidate Joseph Connell. I guarantee you won’t regret it. Thank you.
Bruce Siegel
Director of Veterans Services
