BOSTON - Jon Santiago, a former state representative, emergency room doctor and veteran, was deployed in Syria when Gov. Maura Healey asked him about coming home to a new role as secretary of veterans affairs.

He said at first, he was a little intimidated by the responsibility.

“That’s when I said, 'Yes! I will take this job, and I will work each and every day to honorably serve those who served us,” Santiago said.

Marine Corps. veterans honored Santiago for his work at the State House Monday in a ceremony paying tribute to those who fought at the battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. He addressed his fellow veterans, vowing to move forward with his work, although he felt a bit awkward getting an award this early in his tenure.

“It can be embarrassing to receive an award, but really is a testament to our team, to the Governor, to the LG, and what we're doing here in the Commonwealth on behalf of our veteran community,” Santiago said.

A big part of why Healey was motivated to create this position is because of the mismanagement at the state’s soldiers homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, where so many veterans lost their lives to the virus. 

Santiago focused on the soldiers homes first, noting he is proud of the federal funding helping to build a new home in Holyoke - and the doors opened in Chelsea just last week after rehabbing that facility. 

“The commitment from the governor supporting those services, investing resources and filing things like the HERO Act, the most comprehensive piece of veterans legislation in history,” he said. “We're excited the work that we've done, but there's still so much work to do and we're looking forward to the end of the session getting there.”

The HERO Act was introduced in November and is still in its infancy, but it would increase veteran’s benefits, improve services and promote inclusivity.