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'We Survived Together': Mass. Iraq Veteran Rescues Cat From Deployment 'We Survived Together': Mass. Iraq Veteran Rescues Cat From Deployment
'We Survived Together': Mass. Iraq Veteran Rescues Cat From Deployment US Army Sgt. Shane Finnegan said he doesn't like the nickname members of his unit gave him during his 10-month deployment to Iraq last year even if he's earned it honestly. The "Cat Daddy," who lives in Monson, picked up the moniker after he adopted a feline friend he made during his first deployment. During his second stint overseas — last year in Iraq — he made another. So when it was time to return home, members of his unit turned to him to see if he would be willing to do it again. "It wasn't my plan to adopt a cat from every deployment," he joked. "I don't want to make this a habit."…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Western Mass Ex-Marine Stole $344K in Benefits, Lied To Get Purple Heart: Feds Western Mass Ex-Marine Stole $344K in Benefits, Lied To Get Purple Heart: Feds
Western Mass Ex-Marine Stole $344K in Benefits, Lied To Get Purple Heart: Feds Federal authorities have accused a former US Marine from Franklin County of stolen valor after they say he illegally accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in veteran benefits and lied about suffering a traumatic brain injury in a roadside bomb to earn a Purple Heart.  Paul John "PJ" Herbert, 52, of Shelburne Falls, is charged with one count of theft of government money and one count of making false statements, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He faces potentially decades in prison if convicted on all charges.  Herbert is accused of stealing more than $344,000 …

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by Josh Lanier
Obituaries
Massachusetts Native, 41, Killed By Lightning During Army Training Remembered As Husband, Dad Massachusetts Native, 41, Killed By Lightning During Army Training Remembered As Husband, Dad
Massachusetts Native, 41, Killed By Lightning During Army Training Remembered As Husband, Dad A Massachusetts native was the only one who lost his life during an army training exercise in Georgia earlier this week.   Sgt. 1st Class Michael D. Clark, a Springfield native who was a resident of the town of Bolton in Tolland County, Connecticut, was killed when he and eight other soldiers were struck by lightning at Training Area 26 in Fort Gordon, the US Army said in a release. He was 41 years old. Earlier Report: US Soldier From Tolland County Killed By Lightning Strike Sgt. Clark served in the Army Reserve for more than 22 years and was deployed four times in Iraq and Afghanistan. …

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by David Cifarelli
News
US Soldier From Connecticut Killed By Lightning Strike US Soldier From Connecticut Killed By Lightning Strike
US Soldier From Connecticut Killed By Lightning Strike A soldier who was killed by a lightning strike during a training mission has been identified as being a Connecticut resident. Tolland County resident Sgt.1st Class Michael D. Clark, of the town of Bolton, died on Wednesday, July 20, at Fort Gordon, in Augusta, Georgia. During the training exercise, Clark, age 41, was killed and nine others sustained injuries associated with the lightning strike, said the Department of US Army Reserves. Fort Gordon’s EMS responded to the scene immediately, and the soldiers were transported to Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center for medical care, offici…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Person Who Trashed Marine Sniper's Memorial Is Caught Person Who Trashed Marine Sniper's Memorial Is Caught
Person Who Trashed Marine Sniper's Memorial Is Caught Police have identified a suspect in the repeated vandalism of a soldier’s memorial. Glastonbury Police said, over the last three weeks, officers received multiple reports of vandalism to the Sgt. David Coullard memorial. Coullard was a Marine Corps sniper and Glastonbury, Connecticut native. He was killed in action in Iraq, 2005. The Coullard memorial is located on Belle Woods Drive in a peaceful alcove surrounded by trees with a bench and a brick walkway. The memorial itself is made of stone and a metal plaque.  Following an investigation, police said they have identified a 14-year-…

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by Kristin Palpini