Stephen Patten is the new Veteran’s Agent in Peabody. Item Photo by Owen O’Rourke
By Adam Swift
PEABODY — Stephen Patten, a decorated Army veteran and former prosecutor in the Essex District Attorney’s office, is dedicated to duty and helping others.
So when the opportunity came to apply as the veteran’s agent in the city where he grew up and graduated from high school, Patten jumped at the chance.
“When you meet with Gold Star families and see the sacrifices they’ve made, and even the regular rank and file military who were deployed to Afghanistan who were not harmed or injured, they are missing their children’s birthdays and holidays, it is very easy to be passionate about helping veterans and their families,” said Patten. “There was not a question that I wanted to do this; not a doubt. It’s an honor and privilege.”
Last week, the City Council unanimously approved Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr.’s appointment of Patten. He replaces Christopher Tighe, who was fired earlier this year after a decade heading Peabody’s veterans’ department. Patten stepped into his new role and office on Monday.
In the military, Patten was an Army Judge Advocate, served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and was awarded the Bronze Star, among other honors. Closer to home, Patten was an assistant district attorney in Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office.
Patten intimately knows about the challenges and dangers that face those who serve and the needs for those who are lucky enough to return home. He worked in Blodgett’s office for several years before he was accepted into the Army’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) school in 2008. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, Patten had attempted to join the JAG corps in 2002 after graduating from law school, but just missed out on the hyper-competitive placement.
“My experience in the military changed me forever,” said Patten. “The day to day living at Fort Bragg created bonds between soldiers and relationships that are incomparable. I was never prouder to be an American than when I was training every day with soldiers.”
During his two tours of duty in Afghanistan in the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Patten said he said over 50 soldiers in his unit were killed in action. Seeing that sacrifice helped motivate him to help those who have served when they returned stateside.
As the veterans agent, Patten said his major responsibility is to act as a liaison between the mayor’s office and the various veterans organizations in the city. Much of the administrative tasks of the office involve filing disability claims on behalf of veterans and assisting with the filing of Chapter 115 benefits for veterans who are unemployed, underemployed, or retired.
But Patten said there are many more benefits than that available to the city’s veterans. And he has plans to bring more programs to former service members.
“I want to look into transportation or home visits for veterans who are unable to get into the office or find it difficult to get to medical appointments,” Patten said. He said the department is looking for possible federal funding for this longer-term goal.
In the shorter term, Patten said he’d like to find ways to bridge the gap between younger veterans and the local veterans organizations, which often skew to an older demographic.
“Our future veterans need to be weaned into the city veterans organizations before they ever leave the city to serve in the military,” he said.
Those who are currently serving, or considering serving in the military, need to be better informed about the benefits available to them through the post 9/11 GI Bill.
“They could get an entire college education and a master’s degree in exchange for their service and come out of all of it debt free,” said Patten. “They learn maturity and responsibility through the service, and they are ready to face the world debt free.”
While Patten said he is ready to work as hard as possible for Peabody’s veterans, he is quick to point out that he isn’t doing it alone. He praised department secretary Lisa Leavitt for her selflessness and going beyond the boundaries of the job to make sure everyone who steps into the office gets the help they need.
“In this office, there are two people who truly care and will make sure that the needs of the veterans are met,” said Patten.
Bettencourt said he’s excited about what Patten will bring to to the city.
“He’s put the needs of others ahead of his own all his life,” said Bettencourt.
Adam Swift can be reached at [email protected].