WORCESTER, Mass. - Ahead of Veterans’ Day, the city of Worcester announced the appointment of a new director of veterans services. During the city’s Veterans’ Day parade, Dr. Joe Robinson took some time to reflect on his service and what he hopes to accomplish for local veterans in the new role.


What You Need To Know

  • On Thursday, Dr. Joe Robinson was appointed Worcester's director of veterans services

  • Robinson served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1990 to 1999

  • He is focused on ensuring fellow veterans receive the benefits they deserve

  • Robinson attended Saturday's Veterans' Day parade on Grove Street

Robinson has held a passion for helping his fellow veterans since retiring from the Marine Corps 24 years ago, with a particular focus on ensuring they get all of the benefits and assistance their sacrifices entitle them to.

He recalled the first time he helped a veteran, which happened to be a man he once played high school football with.

“I didn’t know he had been in the Marine Corps, but he didn't have an eye,” Robinson said. “I asked him what happened, he told me it happened on active duty, and that was literally the first time I helped him process his claim… That kind of started me on a path, letting me know that a lot of veterans are not aware of the services that we have available to us.”

Robinson served in the Marines from 1990 to 1999, retiring as a disabled veteran. He grew up in Iowa, but more recently helped coordinate veterans services for MassHire South Shore.

Upon moving to Worcester in 2016, he found himself frequently visiting the Veterans Services Division looking for resources. Now that he’s leading the department, he sees his story as motivation for other veterans who need an extra push to get back on their feet.

“Do what we're telling you to do as far as utilizing the services, and then you can rebound,” Robinson said. “And they look at me and say, ‘Well, we don't know if you can help us necessarily,’ and I say, ‘Look at me.’ And they say, ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘I actually did it… I was sitting where you were sitting at six years ago, and I've come full circle to completing a master's degree, PhD, and now look at me.”

Robinson is the first Black man to serve as the city’s director of veterans services, and hopes to build more awareness and enthusiasm in the city for events like the Veterans Day parade and organizations like Veterans Inc.

With more than 6,000 veterans living in the city, he wants them to know they’re supported, especially this time of year.

“I believe the city of Worcester, as many veterans that we have here in this city, we should have tons of folks here patronizing our veterans,” Robinson said. “We put it on the line for everyone every day. And we certainly believe that we can make this parade much better and larger.”