How Can I Help?  A Volunteer Extraordinaire

Brian Dupee and the model train that was the start of his VA volunteer efforts

Brian Dupee and his spouse Lynn receiving VA Volunteer of the Year Award

Some marines take the advice “Never volunteer for anything” very seriously.  Westfield Detachment #141 Past Commandant Brian Dupee is the exact opposite.  Since returning to Massachusetts after retiring from the Marine Corps, Dupee has logged in 2455 hours of volunteer service at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System.  That total shows only what he has recorded. Ann Murray, Director of Volunteer Services at the VA Center, can attest that he puts in many more hours than he records, both in the center and assisting at events outside.  Ms. Murray depicts Brian Dupee as one of their “go to” volunteers, a person who can always be counted on.  According to her “He does everything from participate in the VAVS Committee that coordinates all service organizations to helping at the gym on a weekly basis.”  Ms. Murray credits Brian with being a selfless and committed collaborator who works to insure that the patients are receiving the services and activities that they need.  Although the Marine Corps League is smaller than the American Legion and VFW, Brian has been instrumental in arranging the most effective delivery of services to the benefit of all.  His willingness to collaborate and work toward solutions is a key aspect of Brian’s value to the VA.

Brian is also active in working with the Management Advisory Committee that provides oversight for all volunteer activities at all VA facilities in the New England Network.  The respect that he gained from the VA management and patients has enabled him to be a valued contributor to the committee. 

In addition to his committee work, Brian volunteers weekly at the VA gym on Mondays and Wednesdays.  He assists patients with learning the machines and exercises and coaches them through their routines.  Some are older veterans who enjoy the interaction with Brian as they exercise.  He also is recognized as an outstanding motivator, encouraging patients as they go through often uncomfortable workouts.  Brian recalled one young female veteran that he talked with throughout her workout. When it was complete, she did not realize that she had just completed 45 minutes of exercise.  That support and encouragement is something that the patients and Ann Murray appreciate about Brian.

Dupee’s volunteer activity started out slowly.  Having enlisted in the Marine Corps in the 1970’s, he was introduced to the Westfield MCL Detachment via a family friend while he was in the Corps.  During twenty two years of active duty, Brian was not in the Westfield area and not active in the MCL.  While in the Corps, Brian’s  duties was trained in hydraulics repair on A4, F4, and A6 aircraft.  When that MOS was reduced, he transferred into Data analysis.  His last assignment was in Cryogenics, producing the nitrogen for aircraft and the oxygen that pilots require.  Brian progressed to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant before retiring in Sept 1998. 

Originally planning to stay in Buford, S.C., family health issues necessitated relocating with his spouse back to the Westfield area.  When he returned to MA, he also returned to the Westfield MCL Detachment.  As he recalls it, the detachment was asked by the VA for help on a project. He and another member went over to see how they could help and were asked to help building a scale model train that the patients could use.  Once the train was built, Dupee recalls, “They would crash it and I would fix it.”  Building on this contact with patients, Brian got involved with bringing patients to hockey and baseball games.  This led to more and more involvement.  Today, Brian Dupee is a regular presence at the VA.  He is also active in arranging monthly breakfasts for patients at the detachment headquarters, a converted fire station in Westfield.  Patients are brought in VA vans and have opportunity to have a full breakfast, made to order, and interact with others outside the hospital for the full morning. This involves 8-10 patients and is highly desirable as an activity for patients.

Although it could be said that his VA services are enough, Brian is also active in volunteering at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke.  Patients there are also provided breakfast on alternate Saturdays.  In addition to his work with veterans, Brian has been active in detachment leadership and is a prime mover in the area Devil Dogs.  This is in addition to his work as a manager of a hardware store and associated locksmith business.

It has been said that it is best to lead by example.  Brian Dupee has set the bar high by showing that with the right level of commitment and motivation, a lot can be accomplished.  His service and accomplishments are something of which the Marine Corps League can be proud and we salute him as an outstanding ambassador for our League.

Massachusetts Marine Corps League Marines of the Year

Each year, Marine Corps League Detachments select a member to be Marine of the Year.  In this space, we will recognize those Marines who have been chosen by their peers as having gone the extra mile in exemplifying the ideals of the Marine Corps League.  We are proud to salute these Marines for service above and beyond. 
   

Ed Jolley receives Marine of the Year Award from Detachment #1037 Commandant Mike Whalen

When Ed Jolley saw the newspaper announcement in 1999 that a group of Marine Corps veterans was interested in starting a Marine Corps League detachment in the metro-west area of Boston, he decided to take a look.  Although he did not know anyone at the meeting and had been out the Marine Corps since 1957, Ed was curious and attended the meeting.  That meeting led to the charter of Metro-west Detachment #1037 with Ed Jolley as a charter member and first Senior Vice Commandant.  Since then, there has been a record of commitment and accomplishment that is not rivaled by many.

Since his initial stint as the inaugural Senior Vice Commandant, Ed has held a number of elected and appointed roles, including Commandant.  Currently serving as the detachment Adjutant, Ed is best known in the detachment for his quiet but effective presence in everything he does.   Early on,  when someone was needed to start up and manage the detachment Toys for Tots effort, Ed stepped up and stayed involved for a number of years.   When discussion began about running a golf tournament to raise funds, Ed was there to get the effort off the ground.  When Tom Potenza, the longtime leader of the golf tournament passed away two years ago, Ed quietly assumed the lead and kept the tournament operating smoothly without interruption.   One of his early initiatives in the beginning days of the detachment was to get involved with visitation at VA facilities in Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury.  Fourteen years later, Ed is still a weekly presence at the VA, coordinating Bingo games and sharing conversation with patients.  He has been active in arranging field trips and cookouts for patients and is known by VA staff as a dependable resource who can be contacted when help is needed.  Jim Hastings, another charter member of Detachment #1037 recalls, “ Ed is always there to help and do what needs to be done. This honor is long overdue”.

Ed Jolley’s contributions and involvement go beyond his participation the MCL Detachment.   As the President of the Natick Veterans Council, Ed leads coordination of the activities of the local veterans’ organizations.  In this role, which Ed has held for 8 years, he has been instrumental in working with the town’s Veterans Services Officer to plan and execute observations for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.  Ed has been a prime mover in organizing a veterans’ luncheon to observe Armed Forces Day.  A high point of his service in the Veterans Council was his leadership role in bringing the Viet Nam Memorial Moving Wall to Natick for a recent Memorial Day weekend.  Taking oversight of a team of 25 volunteers, Ed engineered all of the scheduling, logistics, facilities, installation, and removal of this portable display that was open to the public for 24 hours a day from Friday to Tuesday of the holiday weekend.  This was a large effort that created a sensitive and worthy observation of the sacrifice made by veterans of the Viet Nam War.  Harry Seaholm, longtime leader of the Natick VFW states, “Ed is a quiet, steady hand who can always be counted on.”  Ed is also active in the local chapter of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.  In that organization he is also known as a leader and a person who gets things done.

Ed Jolley’s military service started in the Navy Reserve in 1951.  Although his initial desire was to be in the Marine Corps, staffing limitations and the relocation of the local reserve unit prevented Ed from going in at that time.  After two years in the Navy Reserve, Ed transitioned to active duty in the Marine Corps.  He served in the motor transportation field before separating in 1957.

Returning to the local area, Ed settled into working and starting life as a civilian. In 1960, he began a career at Boston Edison working as a cable splicer and system troubleshooter.  His Edison career lasted 35 years, when he finally retired.  His spouse, Mary Jolley, is very familiar with Ed’s unassuming approach to everything he does.  As she puts it, “ If you are there for a pat on the back, someone will knock you out of the way.  Ed just tries to help”

It is truly good fortune for the Marine Corps League that Ed Jolley saw the newspaper article that led to the start of Metro-west Detachment #1037.  The League is better off for having Marines like Ed Jolley in the ranks and we are pleased to salute him.