BOSTON - The deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers Home during the COVID-19 pandemic were a devastating tragedy. For veterans’ advocates, the future looks bright with a new focus on communication.

“Without question there is a sense of mistrust throughout the veteran community and that is what we are here to rebuild,” said new Secretary of Veterans' Services Jon Santiago. 


What You Need To Know

  • The Executive Office of Veterans Services has a Secretary as a cabinet level position

  • This is in response to the tragic deaths of 76 veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in 2020

  • Jon Santiago was named Secretary in March of this year

  • Veterans advocacy groups have hope for the future

The deaths of 76 veterans in Holyoke at the beginning of the pandemic brought veterans' trust in the state system to a low. Restoring the trust is now a top agenda item for Santiago. 

“At the end of the day, that we want what’s best for veterans and we will have their back," Santiago said. "Words can’t describe what happened in Holyoke and Chelsea over the last couple years particularly over the height of the pandemic.” 

Legislators passed a law last year elevating the office of veteran’s services to a cabinet position, legislation state Sen. John Velis, D-Hampden and Hampshire, was heavily involved in.

Velis attributes a significant part of the tragedy in the soldiers home to a break down in the chain of command. He hopes with this new position and with Santiago at the helm, it will streamline decision making in the future. But, he said he isn’t relying on a new title to make the change. He wants accountability.

“In the same conversation, the second sentence after congratulations was we’re going to hold you accountable," Velis said. "I wouldn’t be doing my job if I wasn’t frank with him."

Meanwhile, veterans' advocacy groups are looking forward to the future.

“We are very hopeful and very optimistic," said John Paradis of the Veterans Advocacy Coalition. "Really positive with his outlook, and we believe he’s really uniquely qualified for this position the right person at the right time for this huge undertaking.” 

The need for proper veterans’ services far exceeds just the oversight of the soldiers’ homes in the state. Advocates, legislators and Santiago all said there is still a lot of work to be done, but they have an optimistic outlook that things will improve.