Photo by LORETTA JACKSON Sgt. Michael C. Adams, of Recruiting Sub-Station Manchester, stood in to represent the late Sgt. Michael S. Boyd during a gathering intended as a remembrance of the previously homeless young veteran who lost his life to a heroin overdose, mourned always by event organizers Dawn Nicholls, left, and Kelly Pillote, Boyd’s mother, advocates of bringing an end to veteran homelessness and substance abuse disorders.

“Former Marine Sgt. Michael Stephen Boyd served proudly, including a tour in Afghanistan. He was a decorated Marine who loved serving his country. His story is not unique. He returned from Afghanistan with PTSD and an opioid addiction. During the height of his addiction, he was one of thousands of homeless veterans. Michael lost his battle to a heroin overdose on Oct. 2, 2018. He was 31 years old.”

The brief missive was sent with other details to The Telegraph in advance of a first-annual awareness event hosted by family and friends of Sgt. Michael Stephen Boyd on March 30 at Manchester’s FaithBridge Church, led by Pastor Rich Clegg. Dawn Nicholls, of Nashua, spearheaded the event along with Michael’s mother, Kelly Pilotte, of Hudson, a Marine Corps veteran. Nicholls was Boyd’s devoted girlfriend until she “lost him to heroin, and then lost him again when he died.”

Today, Boyd is mourned by many, including Nicholls and the family of the Marine: Kelly and Kevin Pilotte, Boyd’s mother and her husband; Nick and Craig Clark, Boyd’s brothers; and Cedric, age 4, Boyd’s son, a child who is now without a father due to heroin.

The event was organized in honor of the Marine’s birthday, March 26 – the first since his passing. The March 30 event date was proclaimed “Sgt. Michael Boyd Day,” by the office of Mayor Joyce Craig, of Manchester, whose emissary, Donald Stokes, orated the proclamation from the podium onstage in the church hall. An annual commemoration is anticipated, as the “Michael Stephen Boyd Memorial Foundation” is soon to be established.

“Sgt. Michael Boyd Day – Michael would have loved that,” Nicholls said. “He would have told everyone he met that he had his own official day.”

Boyd’s mother was well embraced throughout the afternoon. She said the event was heartwarming.

“I’m just so grateful for all the support we’ve seen here for my son,” said Pilotte. “It’s good to know he’s not forgotten and that we’re here doing something helpful, instead of sitting at home, mourning.”

The level of good will at the event was stratospheric. Senator Maggie Hassan arrived and chatted at length with veterans and other guests. Barbers from Varnished and Debbie’s Barber shop were on hand for free haircuts. Scores of volunteers and resources were present. Erin O’Brien and her mom, Maria O’Brien, founder of Two Shots Photography, in Nashua, documented the event.

Television station WMUR sent broadcasters. Manchester Police Department personnel Sgt. Rich Brennan, and police officers Ed Devereaux, Brian Karoul and Anna Martin, of the Community Policing Division, represented the local constabulary. A dignified SSgt. Michael Adams, of the USMC, stood proud in his dress blues to represent Boyd in the departed’s absence.

Donations from local businesses and an entire Facebook community made the event possible. Members of the Nam Knights of America Motorcycle Club Granite State Chapter made a significant donation. The VA in Manchester donated scores of items with a crisis line number on them. Doc Stewart, Rolling Thunder Inc. New England Regional Liaison, and “Striker,” of Striker Public Relations and Steel Sentinels MC New Hampshire, publicized the event.

Duffel bags packed with items of use to local homeless veterans and others amounted to 120 bags. Beth Grady, social worker for Homeless Outreach at the local VA, said, “a tragedy led to magic.”

“The items in the bags are essential when you’re homeless,” Nicholls said. “Rescue blankets, duct tape and first aid kits, as well as other practical items are included.”

Also gifted with the bags were 120 Red Sox caps. The hats included sewn tags with the Veterans Crisis Line number stitched inside – 1-800-273-8255.

Jennifer Frost, manager of the Londonderry office of Keller Williams Metropolitan, also branched in Bedford, was credited with securing the Red Sox caps with the help of 47 Brand, a clothing company in Westwood, Massachusetts, whose Jeremy Hitchcock rallied to the call for quick service. Frost had seen the event posted online. Nicholls commended Frost for hand-sewing 120 crisis line labels into the caps.

“Everybody has value,” said Frost. “This is our community, these are the people who sacrificed for us and this is the least we can do to help them.”

“We will do this again, next year,” Nicholls said. “These veterans deserve so much more, but at the very least we can show them how much they matter and offer them a moment of feeling proud that they served because it is valued.”

Information on future events in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Boyd, or inquiries about the pending Michael Stephen Boyd Memorial Foundation can be had by emailing MSBMemorialFoundation@gmail.com or calling Nicholls: 402-6068.

Loretta Jackson may be contacted via email:

ljackson@nashuatelegraph.com