“The New Bedford Chapter of the Prince Henry Society of Massachusetts will recognize Dr. Michael Rocha at their annual Installation Banquet on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Century House, 107 South Main Street in Acushnet.

Michael Rocha, MD is a cardiologist at Hawthorn Medical Associates. He graduated from New Bedford High School in 1993 and completed his undergraduate studies at UMass-Dartmouth. He attended UMass Medical School and completed his residency and cardiology fellowship at Tufts Medical Center in 2008.

In 2014, he founded the New Bedford Wellness Initiative to focus on prevention of disease through lifestyle interventions. The Weekly Walk with a Doc remains a year-round event that has welcomed walkers of all ages. The Sunday Wellness Program, added in 2015, has offered free classes in nutrition, exercise, yoga, meditation, stress reduction, and smoking cessation addressing many of the major drivers of chronic diseases. During the pandemic, the wellness program transitioned to offering online classes and the added focus of COVID 19 education and resources.

Other community and statewide organizations that he has been involved with include co-chair of the New Bedford Opioid Task Force, the Physicians to Prevent Opioid Addiction (PPOA) and the COVID-19 Action Coalition in Massachusetts. Since 2013, he has served on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford, an institution that he benefited from as a youth in New Bedford.

Musically, he began learning to play the trombone through the New Bedford Public Schools starting in 4th grade and studied privately with John Martin. His musical beginnings include performing with Eddie Rodrigues’ Meadowlarks and the Portuguese American Band. He continues to perform locally with the Southcoast Jazz Orchestra, Southcoast Brass Band, Buttonwood Brass, Dartmouth Town Band, and Mattapoisett Town Band.

Dr. Rocha has been a guest speaker on health, both locally and nationally. He presented a 2015 TEDx talk entitled “How to Keep Your Heart From Killing You.” He was recognized by the Southcoast Media group as the 2015 New Bedford Man of the Year and as the Robert Chadwick Community Service recipient in 2017. He is grateful to his family, friends, and the Greater New Bedford community for all of the support over the years and deeply honored to be receiving this award.

Dr. Rocha has been nominated and received the award for his dedication to the health and well-being of New Bedford, the city where he was born and raised. Dr. Rocha has established himself as a major force in volunteering and community leadership. For quite literally walking the walk, he is the Prince Henry Society’s Person of the Year for 2023.

The event is Saturday, October 14, 2023 with cocktail hour beginning at 6:00 p.m. and dinner served at 8:00 p.m. at the Century House, 107 South Main Street in Acushnet.

Those interested in attending may contact Michael Gomes for tickets, $100 each, at 508.989.7438 or mgnbfd@comcast.net.”

During the month of September, the 48th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Tiago Reis of New Beford who was killed in action while serving with the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Reis was born on February 15, 1947 in St. Michael, the Azores, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Luis Reis. He lived on Rivet Street in New Bedford, MA. Reis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on December 15, 1965, at the age of 18, and began his active duty career on February 8, 1966.

Corporal Reis was killed in action on September 21, 1967, at the age of 20, while serving in the Vietnam War. According to a letter written by Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, Assistant to Head, Casualty Section from the Department of the Navy, CPL Reis died “in the vicinity of Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam as the result of fragmentation wounds sustained from a hostile mortar while participating in an operation against hostile forces.”

“The Vietnam War was a long, costly and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States,” according to history.com. “The conflict was intensified by the ongoing Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. More than 3 million people (including over 58,000 Americans) were killed in the Vietnam War, and more than half of the dead were Vietnamese civilians.”

According to the website marines.mil, “As 1967 began, the 3d Marine Div. was fighting two wars: a conventional one along with DMZ, where division confronted division, and a counter guerrilla war in the rest of Quan Tri and Thua Thien province. Although committed to both campaigns, the situation forced the division to give priority to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).”

Quang Tri province, where corporal Reis was killed, was part of the DMZ. According to Wikipedia, “The Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone was a demilitarized zone at the 17th parallel in Quang Tri province that was established as the dividing line between the two countries i.e. North Vietnam and South Vietnam from 22 July 1954 to 2 July 1976 when Vietnam was officially divided into the two military gathering areas, which was intended to be sustained in the short term after the First Indochina War.

Corporal Tiago Reis served honorably in the United States Marine Corps and paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

Acushnet native Eric Demers will be playing internationally as he is taking his talents to Spain! Demers was recently playing for the “Maine Celtics” and has now been signed by “Hestia Menorca” which is a pro basketball team in Spain.

Acushnet Public Schools posted a heartfelt message celebrating the news,

“Our very own superstar and Acushnet Public Schools Alum, Eric Demers, is taking his talents to the international stage!

He’s just signed up to play professional basketball in Spain, and we couldn’t be prouder! From shooting hoops in our hometown of Acushnet, being the nation’s leading scorer in the NCAA, playing for the Maine Celtics, and now making waves across the globe, Eric’s journey is an inspiration to us all.”

Hestia Menorca is a great basketball club with plenty of accolades, here are a few of recent years:

League achievements:

• Spanish LEB1 Semifinals -2001
• Spanish LEB1 Finalist -2005
• Spanish LEB1 Regular Season Runner-Up -2005
• Spanish LEB Oro Champion -2010
• Spanish LEB Oro Play-Off Champion -2012
• Spanish LEB Plata Play-Off Winner -2023
• Spanish LEB Plata Play-Off Semifinals -2021
• Spanish LEB Plata Group East Regular Season Runner-Up -2023
• Spanish EBA Group C-A Regular Season Runner-Up -2018
• Spanish EBA Final Stage Group 4 Champion -2018
• Spanish Prince’s Cup Finalist -2005
• Spanish LEB Oro Cup (Cope Principe de Asturias) Finalist -2010

You can watch their recent big playoff win here:

During the month of August, the 47th Lights for Peace flag to fly at the Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum honors the memory of Arthur R. Allain, or New Bedford, who passed away on April 19th at the age of 92.

Allain was born in New Bedford on March 7, 1931, the son of the late Thadde and Rosalie (LeBlanc) Allain. He was inducted into the United States Army on May 16, 1952 in Boston and served during the Korean War, spending one year, 3 months and 15 days overseas. He attained the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged on May 4, 1954, spending nearly two years serving his country. Allain was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, the National Defense Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

“The armed conflict in Korea, which began in 1950, lasted three years and claimed the lives of millions of Korean soldiers and civilians on both sides, hundreds of thousands of Chinese soldiers, and more than 36,000 U.S. soldiers,” according to Brittanica.com. “However, the United States never formally declared war on North Korea, China, or the Soviet Union. And, although the U.S. military led the United Nations’ expeditionary force, its involvement was tied only to a UN Security Council resolution, because the UN itself cannot declare war. Consequently, the conflict in Korea did not technically constitute a war,” although the conflict is often referred to as the Korean War.

The Korean War was a conflict between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in which at least 2.5 million people lost their lives. “The war reached international proportions in June 1950 when North Korea, supplied and advised by the Soviet Union, invaded the South. The United Nations, with the United States as the principal participant, joined the war on the side of the South Koreans, and the People’s Republic of China came to North Korea’s aid. After more than a million combat casualties had been suffered on both sides, the fighting ended in July 1953 with Korea still divided into two hostile states. Negotiations in 1954 produced no further agreement, and the front line has been accepted ever since as the de facto boundary between North and South Korea.”

Upon completing his military service, Allain went to work for Sunbeam Bakery as a baker and then moved into the shipping and receiving department. Upon leaving Sunbeam Bakery, he went to work for Tweeve Manufacturing, where he would later retire from. Allain was a hard worker and at times worked 2-3 jobs, working part-time at Central Pharmacy and Central Liquors.

Bob Silveira, Allain’s nephew and godson, explains, “While serving in Korea, (Arthur) found out that my mother was pregnant with me. When he got to Japan on leave, he somehow got word to her that he wanted to be the godfather. So, she waited for him to return.”

Silveira went on to explain that his uncle was “a very quiet guy who was extremely proud of his country and his military service in Korea. He was instrumental in getting a monument to honor his friend PFC Rene G. Poitras, who was killed in action (KIA) in the Korean War.

Arthur marched in every Memorial Day parade he could and then drove in a vehicle when he was not able to walk in the parade. He also enjoyed word search puzzles and watching New England sports, especially the Red Sox. In his earlier years, he enjoyed fishing on the Cape Cod Canal.

He is survived by his nephews, Robert Silveira and his wife Barbara of Plymouth, William Silveira and his wife Debra of Lakeville, Bernard Allain and his wife Maureen of Dartmouth, Ronald Allain of Troy, NH, Bruce Allain of Warwick, RI and the late Rene Allain, Jr. of New Bedford; his nieces, Diane Gamache and her husband Paul of Freetown, Doreen Wotton and her husband Russell of Dartmouth; He was the brother of the late David, Francois, Cecile (Silveira), Zoel, Omer, Rene Sr. and Paul Allain.

Linda Ferreira, of Empire Ford of New Bedford, researches the life histories of area residents. American flags are provided by Empire Ford of New Bedford. Flags are raised by the staff at Fort Taber – Fort Rodman Military Museum. Those who would like to honor a local veteran in the future can contact Ferreira at lferreira@buyempireautogroup.com.

Joseph Martin, a WW2 veteran and lifelong New Bedford resident is celebrating his 100th birthday! Born on August 15th, 1923 Joseph has lived through 100 years of ups, downs, and world events that most of us only can read about.

He fought in the “Battle of the Bulge” also known as the Ardennes Offensive, which was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. The battle lasted for five weeks from December 16th 1944 to January 28th 1945 and was the largest and deadliest single battle fought by the United States in World War II and the third-deadliest in American history.

He also fought in Normandy, France during “Operation Neptune” better known as “D-Day”, which still is the largest seaborne invasion in history.

When I asked Joesph about his experience in these battles he was very humble seemingly brushing over these accolades as him “just doing what was needed of him”. Although you won’t find Mr. Martin bragging, his family is extremely proud, and the short time I spent speaking with him, everybody who walked by wanted to stop and say hello to the man himself.

Joseph Martin is one of the last members of “The greatest Generation” and it was quite the honor to sit and speak with him. His childhood took place during the great depression, and the year after he graduated high school he was sent over seas to fight in WW2.

100 years later and Mr. Martin can still be found putting smiles on faces playing patriotic songs on his harmonica.

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At the time of writing this, 96 individuals have lost their lives in the devastating Maui wild fires. Aaron Griffith, a New Bedford native, is one of the heroes risking their lives to stop the devastation and further loss of life.

Unfortunately, like many other victims of this tragedy Aaron has lost his home and all of his belongings. His sister gave insight to the situation on social media,

“On 8/9/23, my brother Aaron left home in Lahaina, Maui, for firefighting duty with only the clothes on his back and his firefighting equipment. Since that time, Maui has been absolutely devastated by wildfires, taking numerous lives and destroying timeless historical properties and homes – apocalyptic. Unfortunately, Aaron also lost his home and all his belongings while working tirelessly (& quite literally) carrying others to safety—a true hero.”

New Bedford native Aaron Griffith. Facebook photo.

You can help Aaron by donating to a Fundraiser organized by his family HERE. Any donation is highly appreciated.

Since the fundraiser went live, Aaron’s father was able to speak with him and gave us this update:

“We should all feel very proud of Aaron. His action of saving lives is nothing less than heroic. He carried elderly, women, children, and babies through streets, buildings, and hallways to safety while surrounded by flames and exploding cars, with dead human and animal bodies in the streets.

He also found and rescued victims out of the water with severely burned flesh but very much alive, wrapping them in medical blankets and carrying them to safety. The stories went on and on and on. It sounded like Armageddon. Absolutely incredible!!!”

Again, any donation will make a difference, please CLICK HERE to visit the fundraiser page.

“I paid a visit to a long time family friend, Colonel Joe Martin, who turns 100 years old this week. Joe served for forty years in the Army National Guard in various field artillery units.

During WWII, he fought with distinction in Normandy and at the Battle of Bulge. Although they were in different units during the war, Joe and my maternal grandfather John Kinney served in the same battalion after the war, and were close friends (I learned today in fact that Joe still has my grandfather’s foot locker).

Joe looks and sounds great, and I was thrilled that his family invited me to be part of his birthday celebration.”-Jon Mitchell.

A “Crew of Three” Kimberly Ward, her husband Michael, and daughter Ally embarked on a 2 year adventure aboard a 34 foot boat to Grenada and back! As one could imagine, the family was pushed outside of their comfort zone and gained a collection of fascinating stories that need to be told.

Since this expedition in 2014, Kimberly began writing a book on the adventure titled, “Crew of Three: How Bold Dreams and Detailed Plans Launched Our Family’s Sailing Adventure”.

Kimberly will be launching the highly anticipated book in the first week of September and will begin her book tour at the New Bedford Whaling Museum! Why the Whaling Museum you may ask? That is where Kimberly and her husband Michael were married twenty years ago!

Kimberly noted on social media:

“I am honored to have been invited to speak as part of the Sailors’ Series on Thursday, September 7, at 6:00 pm. I will share some of what went into extricating ourselves from our lives and moving aboard s/v Ally Cat for two years in 2014. After a short program, my Crew of Three will be available for Q&A, followed by a light reception and meet and greet.”

Interested in hearing a first-hand account of this sailing adventure? You can purchase tickets here for the Sailors’ Series on Thursday, September 7, at 6:00 pm.

Kimberly Ward Facebook photo.

“This year our Sister, Fairhaven Firefighter Maggie Rocha rode 186 miles as part of the 2023 Pan-Mass Challenge with Team Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts!

Maggie personally raised over $7,000 for cancer research and treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Maggie, we are so proud of you and all that you do for your community.

Thank you for always going above and beyond!
Your Police family ?”-Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit.

Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit photo.

Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit photo.

Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit photo.

Fairhaven Police Department K9 Unit photo.

They won how much??? Is what a man might be saying to himself right now after he tipped a couple scratch tickets to the hard working bartenders at Knuckleheads Bar and Grill in New Bedford. A $5 scratch ticket he gave them ended up hitting for $10,000!

Knuckleheads posted on social media, “Congratulations To These 2, a Customer gave them 2 Scratch Tickets as a Tip, $10,000 later they are Still Smiling. Well Deserved for all Their Hard Work. Congratulations Girls.”

Tons of customers commented on social media noting that it couldn’t have happened to better people, one customer wrote “Congratulations ladies, they work hard their and have great customer service!”

One would assume that the girls will split it 50/50, but the question is…should they tip the man who tipped them? This was asked on the original Facebook post where the man who posted the photo wrote back, “trust me he was well taking care of”.

Make sure you stop by Knuckleheads at 85 MacArthur Drive in New Bedford to grab some food & drinks and congratulate the girls on the big win!