Veterans Agent Paul Provencher Named Grand Marshall of Veterans Day Parade

Veterans Day Speech By Bob Lessard Post 64 Commander & Commander Middleboro Veterans Council

…….It is my great honor to tell you about my friend and fellow veteran Paul Provencher, who has worked
diligently these nearly 14 years as Middleboro’s Veterans Service Officer. Naming him the Grand
Marshall of this year’s 2016 Veterans Day parade was the unanimous choice of the Middleboro’s Veterans
Council.
……..Paul Provencher, born in 1951 in Tewksbury, MA., is the son of a WWII veteran and the oldest of five children adopted by Dave & Veronica Provencher. The family moved to Middleborough when he was six years old.
………While in Middleboro schools, Paul was active in Scouting. His dad, who had earned the rank of Eagle Scout, encouraged Paul in the scouting activities. Paul started in Cub Scouts and later earned his own Eagle Scout status and also gained membership in the Order of the Arrow while in Troop 13.
………He was raised and educated in Middleborough until he entered the U. S. Army in 1971 as a psychiatric specialist. His first assignment after initial active duty training was to the 3rd brigade of the First Calvary Division in Bein Hoa Vietnam from 1971 - 1972. He worked as a counselor at the inpatient heroin rehabilitation center and mental Health clinic on that Army post.
……….Upon completion of that assignment, he was transferred to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii to
work there in the mental health clinic from 1972 - 1973.
……….He married Francine Freitag of Middleborough while stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. They returned to Massachusetts at the end of that assignment.
……….According to Paul, his next job came with an assist from Senator Edward Kennedy, when he was
assigned as a psychiatric research assistant at the Natick MA Army Research Center from 1973 – 1975.
……….His work as a research assistant in high altitude studies was to determine how to overcome acute
high altitude sickness with soldiers being deployed to mountainous areas above 10,000 feet.
……….While working at the Natick facility, Paul took evening classes at Framingham State College and also studied courses at Northeastern University.
……….His daughter Jennifer was born at the Framingham hospital during this assignment.
……….He re-enlisted for 6 years at this point in order to take an assignment in Permasens, Germany. On this assignment he worked as a drug and alcohol counselor for the 59th Ordinance brigade from 1975 – 1978.
……….His youngest daughter Emily was born at the Lanstaul Army hospital during this assignment.
………..He was transferred to the mental health clinic as the NCOIC at the newly opened Fox Army
hospital at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville Alabama in 1978.
………..During that period, he finished up a BS degree in Business Administration at the University of
Alabama in Huntsville. He then left active duty from there in 1981.
………..He brought his family back to Middleborough and worked as a manager with Friendly’s Ice Cream
from 1981 – 1984. During this time he was also a member of the 338rd medical detachment (Psychiatric)
of the Army Reserves in Boston.
………… In 1984 he once again went on active duty with the Army as an Army Reserve recruiter out of
Taunton MA. Upon the successful completion of that assignment in 1987, he became the senior fulltime
administrator of the 883rd Combat Stress Control Company of the Army reserves in Boston.
………..He held that position for 9 years on active duty until his retirement from the Army on April Fools Day 1996, after a 25 year military career. He retired as a Sergeant First Class.
……….Back in civilian life, he went to work as the head of shipping and receiving for the Follett Book
Company at the Bridgewater State College bookstore from 1996 – 2002.
………. He left that position to become the Director of Veterans’ Services for the town of Middleborough in November, 2002.
……….Those of us who have observed Paul’s work habits in dealing with our fellow Veterans and families
over these past 14 years have marveled at his dedication. Normal hours are not part of his work week.
There are numerous stories of his going the extra step to help a veteran and or families.
………. Paul is noted for his abilities to process paperwork through the VA system. Many a veteran, who had been previously denied, has gained coverage due to his persevering endeavors.
……….The Middleboro Veteran Community isn’t the only group of citizens who have recognized Paul’s
dedication.
……….On April 29, 2005, the Middleboro/Lakeville Kiwanis honored Paul as Man of the Year with a
“Banquet and Roast” at the Fireside Restaurant. Town Manager Jack Healey offered the opening toast of
good will to Middleboro’s Veterans Service Officer.
……….Proclamations and citations were presented by guest speakers State Senator Marc Pacheco, House
of Representatives Stephen Canessa and Tom Calter. Wayne Perkins read and presented a proclamation
from the Middleboro Board of Selectmen to Paul.
……….And, Andrew Hebner, senior district executive of the Annawon Council, Boy Scouts of America
offered a testimonial of appreciation to Paul for his interest in scouting actvities.
……….In 2015, folks who are involved with the Fourth of July Parade Committee, honored Paul by
naming him the Grand Marshall of that historic parade.
………... And by no means, we must not forget, Paul is the proud “Gramps” of his nine ½ year old twin grandchildren, Emma and Landon.
……….. Paul, we thank you for all you have done for the citizens and veterans of Middleboro.