NEWS
April 2008
A Symbol of Freedom from an American Hero
For more than 120 days, an American flag flew over battlefields in Iraq, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan as part of a very special tribute to the Institution for Savings. This greatest symbol of American freedom accompanied the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing of the US Air Force-also known as "The Rock"-- on countless overseas missions between October 12, 2007 and February 12, 2008, serving as a constant guardian and reminder of the cause which they all fought… and of a company back home that supports them.
One member of this brave unit had a very special connection to our Institution for Savings family: U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Jasen Brouillette. A 1996 graduate of Ipswich High School, Jasen is also the son of Institution for Savings mortgage officer Ellin McSweeney and recalled vividly the support the bank provided to his mother and family during each of Jasen's four overseas deployments. Three years ago, when Jasen was returning to London after his first tour in Iraq, bank president Mark Welch surprised Jasen's mother with a round-trip ticket to England so that Ellin could be waiting for her son with the other military families when he arrived home. Since then, there have been countless care packages and fund collections to benefit Jasen, Ellin and other local military families.
Jasen had a plan to say thank you.
Less than 24 hours after he returned home safely to the United States, Jasen made a very special surprise visit to the bank, accompanied by his mom, and 7 year old son, Brendon. He presented the flag to Mark Welch, along with a special personalized certificate, attesting to the flag's role as "witness" to the heroic efforts of US men and women who were sacrificing their lives in service to our country. Mark later presented this priceless gift to the bank's Board of Trustees at its meeting in April. Hereafter, it will be displayed proudly in the bank as a symbol to all of the courageous and selfless efforts of our young men and women who fight to defend freedom for Americans and for others throughout the world.
The Institution for Savings is forever grateful to Jasen and to the unit members of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing of the US Air Force for this very special gift. Even more so, we thank all those brave men and women of the armed services who continue to defend our freedom around the world. Truly, this is the greatest gift of all.
