Rolling Thunder chapter donates over $3,000 to Athol veterans organization

(From left) Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter #3 Secretary Doug McIntosh, John Dodge, past commander of Disabled American Veterans Charles Musante Chapter #46, Chapter #3 Vice President Fred Blanchard, and Paul Dubey, past commander of Massachusetts Disabled Veterans.

(From left) Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter #3 Secretary Doug McIntosh, John Dodge, past commander of Disabled American Veterans Charles Musante Chapter #46, Chapter #3 Vice President Fred Blanchard, and Paul Dubey, past commander of Massachusetts Disabled Veterans. PHOTO BY GREG VINE

By GREG VINE

For the Athol Daily News

Published: 01-14-2025 1:19 PM

Modified: 01-17-2025 3:46 PM


ATHOL – The Disabled American Veterans Charles Musante Chapter 46 in Athol received a substantial donation Monday night from the state’s newest chapter of Rolling Thunder

Dropping in at the North Quabbin Veterans Center in Athol, Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter #3 Vice President Fred Blanchard presented Chapter 46 Past Commander John Dodge with two checks, one for $2,600 and one for $500. The money will be used for both the DAV and the veterans center.

One reason for the donations, Blanchard explained, is that “Charles Musante was my father-in-law and we’re donating this to help with this building. They’re being made in his honor.”

While active in veterans’ causes, Blanchard is also well-known in North Quabbin and other communities as Santa Claus and makes appearances at numerous community events, as well as those hosted by local non-profit and veterans’ groups.

“The reason I play Santa Claus is because my whole family has been in the service,” said Blanchard. “In World War II, my father was 6-foot-3, his brother Jeff was 6-foot-4, Norman was six feet; they were all big men except for my uncle Bennie, he was the short one. They made him a tail gunner in a B-17. He got killed on Christmas Day, 1943, the same year I was born 81 years ago. It’s in his honor that I do Santa Claus every year.”

Of the two checks presented to Dodge, one was from Rolling Thunder while the other came courtesy of “Santa Claus.”

Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter #3 is a relatively new part of the organization. Chapter Secretary Doug McIntosh said the group currently has 26 members.

“We have our meetings over at the Legion (in Athol),” said Blanchard. “We just changed over. We were Vermont #1, but we finally got a Mass chapter so we could spread out our chapter and attract more members. We’re getting older and our membership is dropping.”

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Erving officers, CSO clinician commended for suicide prevention at French King Bridge
New Salem Museum owners seek common ground with abutters as site plan approval sought
Athol downtown survey now available
Polus Center among recipients of state funds for job training
Isaac Mass forms exploratory committee for Franklin County sheriff campaign
Ed board inches toward vocational school reforms

Since its inception in 1987 in Somerville, New Jersey, Rolling Thunder has been active in the cause of prisoners of war and service members missing in action, as well as “Gulf War and Korean War Affairs, veterans/community assistance, school education, and overall public awareness of the POW/MIA issue and veterans’ needs,” according to the website of Rolling Thunder Massachusetts Chapter #1.

The North Quabbin Veterans Center is located at 72 Freedom St. in Athol, adjacent to the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce and the Athol Senior Center at Lord Pond Plaza.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com