For many across the South Shore veteran community, Gregg Brasso is a familiar voice. As the longtime host of Veterans Voice on WATD, he has dedicated himself to connecting veterans with resources, support, and one another. A Weymouth native, Gregg’s path to community leadership was anything but conventional. After attending Massasoit Community College and Bridgewater State University, where he played collegiate sports, he worked a variety of jobs before reinventing himself at age 30 through computer training. He went on to build a successful career in the technology industry, but his greatest impact would ultimately come through his tireless service to veterans and their families.

After years in the field, Gregg was looking for a new direction. In 2013, a cold call to WATD Radio led him to launch Veterans Voice, a program dedicated to supporting veterans and their families by connecting them with critical resources and information. He created the show to raise awareness around veterans’ issues and benefits, with topics including healthcare access, GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon benefits, housing, career opportunities, PTSD treatment, legal support, the Valor Acts I and II, and issues affecting women veterans.

Through the program, Gregg has partnered with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services, helping amplify awareness of benefits and resources available to veterans in every town across the state. His work has played a key role in connecting veterans and their families with the support systems designed to serve them.

Gregg’s motivation for starting the show came from a simple goal: to help veterans and their families better understand and access the benefits they have earned. Today, he continues to be a strong voice and advocate within the veteran community through his ongoing work on Veterans Voice.

13 years later the impact of that mission has grown far beyond what Gregg ever imagined, reaching thousands of veterans and families and continuing to expand its reach across Massachusetts and beyond.

In 2020, Gregg and his team launched a food donation program for veterans and active-duty service members to help combat food insecurity. The initiative was inspired by an experience serving Thanksgiving dinner to individuals experiencing homelessness, which highlighted the growing need for reliable access to food within the community.

Dubbed “A Drive-Thru to Get You Through,” the program provides monthly food distributions on the second Thursday of every month. What began as a small community effort quickly evolved into a sustained initiative, supported by a dedicated network of volunteers and strengthened through ongoing outreach efforts.

Over the past six years, the program has distributed more than 500,000 pounds of food to veterans, military families, and community members in need. Its impact has continued to grow through partnerships with local organizations, including serving as a beneficiary of the U.S. Postal Service’s annual canned food drive.

For Gregg, the program’s success is measured not only by the pounds of food distributed, but by the connections built through service. As he often says, “We don’t know who smiles more – the people receiving the food or the people giving it away.” Today, the program remains a powerful example of how a simple act of kindness can grow into a lasting community resource.

While addressing food insecurity has been a cornerstone of Gregg’s service to the veteran community, it is far from his only area of focus. Through his work with veterans, Gregg became increasingly aware of another critical challenge facing those who served: Parkinson’s disease.

Recognizing the growing impact of Parkinson’s disease among veterans, Gregg established a dedicated Parkinson’s Pavilion as part of his annual Veteran’s Festival. While Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 1% of the general population, an estimated 11% of veterans are impacted, a disparity often linked to exposure to Agent Orange during military service.

The pavilion brings together leading Parkinson’s researchers, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and technology innovators under one roof, creating a centralized hub for veterans and their families to learn about the latest developments in treatment, care, and disease management. Organizations such as Boston Scientific have played a key role in connecting attendees with valuable information and support services, helping veterans better understand their options and access the resources they need. 

Through the Parkinson’s Pavilion, Gregg has helped create a space where veterans can access critical information, connect with experts, and find support in addressing one of the most significant health challenges facing the veteran community today.

Gregg’s impact on the veteran community can be measured not only by the programs he has helped create, but by the countless lives he has touched along the way. Through years of dedicated service, he has become a trusted advocate, a connector of people and resources, and a driving force for positive change. At the heart of Gregg’s work is a simple commitment to serving those who have served our country – a commitment that continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans and their families.

The 2026 Veteran’s Music Festival, VA Benefits, and Career Expo will be held on Saturday, July 18, at Pageant Field in Quincy from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please join Gregg Brasso of Veterans Voice Radio and the New England Free Jacks in celebrating and supporting the veteran community!

Get Involved Today

The Free Jacks are looking for Impact Free Jack nominees from all walks of life and every corner of New England who have the power to transcend boundaries and create a lasting, positive impact on the lives of others. Honorees will be celebrated at each of the Free Jacks’ home games.

This partnership with Massachusetts State Lottery aims to highlight and reward everyday heroes who embody the values of service and community, aligning with the Free Jacks’ mission of making a positive impact both on and off the field.

If you have a colleague, neighbor, friend, or loved one that deserves recognition for their community contributions, please nominate them here.

For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news