John King has been volunteering to provide rides to other veterans so they can get to medical appointments, go shopping, or simply enjoy a ride and some companionship.
Sheriff McDermott said that King’s service to his fellow veterans is the kind of selfless devotion to others that is a hallmark of the Norfolk County Heroes Award program. “John King sets an example for all of us in his dedication to making life better for those who have already given so much to our country,” said Sheriff McDermott. “As the son of a WWII Navy veteran, I appreciate all that John does to support those who served. It is clear that John’s commitment to serving others is deeply engrained.”
John has been volunteering with the “Ride for Veterans” program, which is run by the Norfolk County RSVP Volunteer Program. The program pairs veterans in need of rides to VA appointments or others needs with volunteers in the community. As part of the program, John has helped veteran riders from Quincy, Braintree, and Weymouth get to appointments in VA hospitals across the state.
Yet John goes above even the requirements of the program, frequently providing food and resources to the veterans he drives, organizing car parades for birthdays, and spontaneously taking riders to visit personally meaningful locations, such as cemeteries or former bases where they had been stationed.
“One of the reasons that I got involved with the program to drive vets can be summed up by Tom Brokaw’s description of the men and women of WW2 as ‘the greatest generation,’” said John. “And he was right on. I think this is one of the reasons I enjoy helping veterans get around and getting to know some of them on a personal level.”
People interested in participating in the “Ride for Veterans” program run by the Norfolk County RSVP Volunteer Program can call (781) 329-5728 or visit the Norfolk County Commissioners website at https://www.norfolkcounty.org/county-administration/commissioners-office/.
