Community and Country tells the proud history of the Greater Lowell Veterans Council. Since its founding in 1919, more than 30 veterans’ organizations have held membership in the Greater Lowell Veterans Council. The collective mission of these groups is the same today as it was 100 years ago: Ensuring that those who serve receive proper care and support when they return to civilian life; remembering those who gave their lives in time of war; and, through their rituals and traditions, teaching local residents, especially young people, of the importance of service, both in the military and to the community.

Richard P. Howe, Jr. is the Historian of the Greater Lowell Veterans Council. He served in the United States Army from 1980 to 1984. He is currently the Register of Deeds of the Middlesex Northern District. He is the author of Legendary Locals of Lowell (with Chaim M. Rosenberg), Lowell: Images of Modern America, Lowell Municipal Elections: 1965-2015 and History as It Happens: Citizen Bloggers in Lowell, Mass.(editor with Paul Marion).

Robert Casper is a past commander of the Greater Lowell Veterans Council and of the Merrimack Valley Vietnam Veterans. He served three-plus tours of duty in Vietnam with the First Cavalry Division and the First Infantry Division. He is the 40-year proprietor of Bob’s Coins and Jewelry Store in Chelmsford Center.