HFCU Charitable Foundation honors Charlie Baker with Inaugural Woodhouse Leadership Award
CANTON, MA – The HFCU Charitable Foundation recently honored NCAA president and former Gov. Charlie Baker with the "Woody" Woodhouse II Leadership Award for his dedication to veterans services during an event that raised $125,000 for the Home Base program.
Longtime veterans advocate Tommy Lyons was also recognized with the Minuteman Award for his decades of hard work inside the veteran community.
The day kicked off with the annual charity golf tournament where members, sponsors, vendors and other Hanscom FCU friends battled it out in a shotgun style tournament.
After a brief break, all gathered inside the Blue Hill Country Club for a formal dinner and awards ceremony.
A Moment to Remember
Brigadier General Enoch "Woody" Woodhouse II, 97, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, presented the award (a musket) to Gov. Baker and offered an emotional speech that made the audience laugh and cry.
One of the lighter moments came when Woody told a story about Gov. Baker’s efforts to recognize him.
“One of your staff said, ‘Ya know, the Governor wants to do something for you,’” said Woody. “I said, ‘Geesh.’”
When told the Governor’s plan involved an airport, Woody guessed that it would be Beverly Airport or one of the smaller, lesser-known regional ones. But – to his surprise – that was not the case.
“She said, ‘Logan,’” said Woody. “I said to myself, ‘It must be a nice plaque in the men’s room.’”
The crowded laughed and Woody further explained.
“But, it was not in the men’s room, my friends,” said Woody. “It was a full mural at Logan Airport, Terminal C. Have you seen it?”
The crowd erupted in applause and shortly thereafter HFCU President & CEO Peter Rice, along with Woody, presented Gov. Baker with an engraved musket, which acknowledges the legacy of the famed Tuskegee Airmen—approximately 16,000 service members who were the first Black aviators and support staff in U.S. military history.
Local Celebrities
Famed Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan entertained the crowd with a variety of songs that even included a Sting cover. Tynan also relayed amusing stories in between tunes.
During a USO Tour in Afghanistan with the late comedian/actor Robin Williams, Tynan was subject to a few pranks by the legendary jokester, including one that involved stealing his prosthetic legs while he was in the shower!
Former Red Sox closer Keith Foulke participated in the golf tournament, taking pictures with guests and touting the event on social media.
Additionally, NBC10 Boston anchor Latoyia Edwards emceed the awards program, which was covered by the local media via NBC10, Patch.com, WBZ-AM and NECN.
Others in attendance included: James Brett, President & CEO, The New England Council; Brigadier General Jack Hammond (Ret.), Executive Director, Home Base; and the Lowell High School JROTC.
Hole-in-One Event
It was a memorable day for at least one big-time golfer.
Guest Allen Pattee shot a hole-in-one on Hole No. 16. Golf tradition called on Allen to buy every player a beverage after his round. In lieu of doing that, Allen made an on-the-spot $500 donation to the HFCU Charitable Foundation!
Incidentally, this was Allen’s seventh hole-in-one of his career.
Making History with Home Base
The Inaugural Dinner is the cornerstone event for the HFCU Charitable Foundation. It brings together key stakeholders, community leaders and supporters to celebrate achievements. With the $125,000 gift to Home Base, the Foundation has now donated more than $1.7 million to causes that support veterans since 2014.
Home Base is a national nonprofit dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of war for Veterans of all eras, Service Members, Military Families and Families of the Fallen through world-class, direct clinical care, wellness, education and research – all at no cost to them – regardless of era of service, discharge status or geographical location.