Paul Carew (photo by Maureen L. Sullivan)
Slowly, the walls and desk are being cleared in the Natick Veterans Services Office at the Community-Senior Center. It takes time to pack 16 years’ worth of service.
Even as he prepares for retirement in late March, Paul Carew always has a moment for veterans stopping in to say hello, or to get assistance with paperwork.
“My job’s not just black and white,” Carew said as he answered a phone call. “It’s a community with people. You build up a relationship, you build up a rapport. They need someone to heal and fix them.”
The veterans who come to Carew need a range of services, he said.
“There are uncountable veterans who’ve walked through these doors” over the years, he said. “Some are a little broken, some are a lot broken. They’ve heard that I’m a quick fixer.”
Carew cites a “very successful” record of filing claims with the Veterans Administration – about 96 percent, he said, adding that “not every case is a win” and he tries to be honest about the veteran’s chances to obtain benefits.
A Marine Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam War, Carew became Natick’s VSO in 2010 after working in the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to overseeing the town’s annual ceremonies, such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Pearl Harbor commemoration, Carew has conducted regular support groups focused on veterans’ suicide prevention; this will be among the tasks he will continue to perform once he retires.
He also plans to revitalize the Natick Veterans Council, and continue helping veterans with their benefits paperwork.
Carew’s last day will be March 27. The town is scheduled to announce his successor at the Select Board meeting on March 4.
Learn more about Natick Veterans Services.
Paul Carew has been instrumental in assisting my son Ryan in getting benefits after being injured as an Army paratrooper. Our family can’t thank Paul enough for his expertise, compassion and tenacity in his many endeavors on behalf of our family and Natick veterans. May he have a happy and fulfilling retirement. He will be very hard to replace. All the best to him. Paula Carroll Cohen
Paul, Good Luck with your retirement`. Best Wishes AMVETS Department of Massachusetts PDC= ALT NEC Wayne Anthony
Outstanding service. Thank you for all you have done for the community.
Paul, also asst the Natick Commission on Disability. As he is also the town ADA coordinator, he has worked with the commission over the years, we have been honored to have him as a great resource. Thank you Paul for the opportunity to work with you.From NCOD
I totally agree with Lori! Integrity, honesty, and humility! Paul will never retire…
Paul
Thanks for your service to the town of Natick and specifically to me and the Natick For Black Lives Matter -Metrowest organization.
Enjoy your retirement. Rest easy now!
Blessings to you and yours,
Deborah L. Younger-Mitchell
CEO, NFBLM
We are all grateful for all Paul Carew has done. “Well done good and faithful servant!”
USAF Veteran
Carolyn Love Scalise