Wounded Mattapoisett Veteran Rebecca Mann Being Honored in Big Way

Mattapoisett's Rebecca Mann joined the Army to serve a greater purpose.

In 2014, during her second deployment to Afghanistan, she sustained injuries to her right foot. Reconstructive surgeries were not successful. Mann, normally with an active lifestyle, was in constant pain for a few years, and was ultimately told her foot would have to be amputated.

Not long afterward, Mann learned she came down with a serious blood flow issue, and doctors were forced to amputate her left foot, too.

"But neither her injuries or anything else has slowed Rebecca down," said James Reid, executive director of the Veterans Transition House in New Bedford.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Massachusetts Veterans Housing Program, Reid is naming the retired chief warrant officer Veteran of the Year for 2022.

"The Veteran of the Year Award is bestowed to an area veteran in recognition of their outstanding contributions to other veterans, veterans' issues and the community as a whole," Reid said.

"Rebecca turned her experience into a way to serve disabled veterans, youths and adults with Mission Working Dogs, a nonprofit that improves the lives of people with disabilities by providing them with highly trained service dogs."

The 27th annual reception and dinner will be Wednesday, Nov, 9, 5 p.m., at Rachel's Lakeside.

"It's different this year because normally our event is a luncheon," Reid said. "Also, we're going to raise funds for the purchase of a hybrid vehicle for the transportation of veterans recovering from homelessness to health care appointments and other offsite needs," fundraising manager David Guertin said.

For more information, contact Deven Robitaille at 508-979-1504.

Phil Paleologos will serve as master of ceremonies at the reception.