The Massachusetts National Guard’s 1058th Transportation Company of Hingham will be receiving more support from citizens here at home after being named the Military Friends Foundation’s 2010-11 “Adopt A Unit” Recipient. The 1058th Transportation Co., made up of Soldiers from many South Shore communities including Hingham, Bridgewater, Stoughton, Randolph and Quincy, mobilized this past January for a second tour in Iraq.

“When I heard that my daughter Ally and her fellow Soldiers in the 1058 would be receiving this type of recognition from citizens across the Commonwealth through the Military Friends, I was overwhelmed,” said Brian Turner of Stoughton, an Army veteran and father of 2LT Ally Turner, also of Stoughton. “As a veteran, I believe the best way we can honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice is by taking care of those who are serving today. This support for our men and women in uniform, on the eve of Memorial Day weekend, couldn’t be a more fitting tribute – and as a proud dad I thank everyone who made this possible.”

As the “Adopt A Unit” recipient, the 1058 will receive $10,000 towards multiple programs over the next year to support Unit morale while they are deployed. “We wanted to find a way to say ‘Thank You’ to many of our local men and women currently serving overseas,” said SGM Jim Kelly (Ret.), President of the Military Friends Foundation, a non-profit supporting Massachusetts National Guard & Reserves since 2003. “We look forward to adopting another Unit next year and continuing to support Citizen Service Members with our grant programs.”

“This adoption of the 1058th TC by the Military Friends offers multiple ways of assistance and support for the Soldiers overseas as well as our families, here at home. The Command appreciates this opportunity and [is] grateful to the Military Friends for their generosity,” said Rear Detachment Commander 1LT David Wilson.

The Military Friends Foundation receives support through private donations and the Mass. Military Family Relief Fund. The Mass. Military Family Relief Fund was created by the State Legislature to recognize the unique service and sacrifices of Citizen Soldiers and Airmen after September 11, 2001. As part of this, a voluntary contribution check off box (Question 32e) on the Mass. State Tax Form was also established to allow citizens to directly support Mass. military families. Last year, the Military Friends Foundation provided $100,000 of assistance to Massachusetts military families.

“As the sponsor of 2005 legislation which served as the basis for the tax check off program in use today, I am pleased to learn that members of the 1058th Transportation Company and their families will benefit from the Military Friends Foundation’s generous pledge of support,” said State Representative Garrett Bradley. “This is another important way of supporting our troops while they serve our nation and our community in Iraq.”

“While the members of the 1058th Transportation Company must be honored and remembered for placing their lives on the line for our country, we must not forget the financial and emotional sacrifices being made by the husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children, siblings and friends back at home,” State Senator Robert Hedlund said. “Through the MA Military Family Relief Fund, and the Military Friends Foundation, we can provide these families with a little bit of assistance to help them work through these hard times as their loved ones fight for the country we all love and live in.”

For more information about the “Adopt A Unit” program or to support this or other Military Friends Foundation programs for Massachusetts National Guard Members and Reservists, please visit www.militaryfriends.org.

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