The Melrose Messenger

New Faces, Same Mission at Veterans’ Services Office

This fall, the Veterans’ Services Office for the City of Melrose welcomed a new district director and Veterans’ Service Officer (VSO). Their role is to support Melrose’s veterans and connect them with benefits they are entitled to based on their service.

The Melrose Veterans’ Services Office is part of a three-city district comprised of Melrose, Wakefield, and Saugus. In October, Gayle-Jean Angelo was appointed to the position of Director of Veterans’ Services for the Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus Veterans' Services District. Angelo works out of the Melrose Veterans’ Services Office, and she supports all three towns. When Angelo moved into the director position, David Goss took on the position of VSO for the City of Melrose.

Angelo holds a doctorate in Chemistry and Physics from Columbia University. Her Air Force career was as a scientist researching rocket fuels. “I didn’t want to stay in a classroom,” Angelo reflected, “I wanted to be in a lab….I like things that go ‘boom!’” she joked. Angelo’s military service also included teaching courses on base, and eventually working as a medic. After her retirement from the Air Force, Angelo worked in civilian labs and universities, and ran her own business as a college prep tutor.

Angelo first connected with the Melrose Veterans’ Services Office when she needed support after moving back to the area to care for her aging parents. When the VSO position became vacant, Angelo applied for the job. After Roseann Trionfi-Mazzuchelli, the previous Director of Veterans’ Services, took a position in a different city, Angelo moved up into the director position.

Goss’s military career was in the Marines, where he worked in communications. He was deployed to Afghanistan, where he served in artillery support and eventually led a platoon. After his service ended, he earned his Bachelor’s degree and then took over the VSO position. “It’s not just a job to me,” said Goss, “It’s my way of giving back, and staying connected to my fellow veterans.”

Both Angelo and Goss grew up in Wakefield, although both had connections to Melrose early on. Angelo recalls that she first performed at Memorial Hall in a ballet recital at age two, and played in the Melrose Symphony Orchestra during high school. In addition to her multiple science degrees, Angelo has training in early music and recorder performance. And Goss performed at Fred Green Field as a member of the Wakefield High School Marching Band.

Angelo and Goss emphasize that their office aims to support veterans and their families in whatever they might need. “Our primary purpose is to push papers so that veterans get the benefits that they deserve,” explained Angelo, “that’s what it comes down to.”

The Melrose Veterans’ Services Office handles Chapter 115 claims, which is a combination of state and local aid that is aimed at helping indigent veterans who are having trouble affording their daily living expenses. The office also helps veterans submit health claims to the VA, which are usually related to a veteran’s service.

In addition, the Melrose Veterans’ Services Office holds a monthly food mart at Memorial Hall for veterans and their dependents. And they work with the Melrose Veterans Advisory Board, which is a volunteer committee that sponsors the semiannual Veterans’ Food Drive at Shaw’s and observances for Memorial Day and Veterans Day; maintains the city’s memorials and monuments to veterans; and coordinates with the Melrose Public Schools to hold assemblies and other educational events.

“We do whatever we have to do to accommodate a vet,” Angelo said. “We’ll make copies, talk about benefits… a lot of veterans don’t know there’s a lot more benefits available than just loans for houses and college.” “They don’t have to sit out there and struggle,” Goss added.

If you or someone you know is a veteran who needs help, contact the Melrose Veterans’ Services Office to learn about what resources might be available.

To support Melrose veterans in need, consider making a donation to the Melrose Veterans Relief Fund.

Posted December 16th, 2024