Sudbury Group Hopes Donation of $10,000 Will Help Heal 'Invisible Wounds of War'

A Sudbury organization recently donated $10,000 to the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program in honor of a local veteran who took his own life last year after returning from two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Sudbury for Wounded Warriors made the presentation last month, with the donation helping Home Base heal soldiers with post traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, considered the "invisible wounds of war."

The organization made the donation in honor of Staff Sergeant Kevin J. O'Boyle, a Medford resident who committed suicide last year after serving in Afghanistan and becoming a firefighter in Cambridge and Salem upon his return from active duty.

“I am deeply, deeply touched that this gift is being made in my son’s name. Kevin suffered from PTSD and I think that if we can put a face to the statistic, we can raise more awareness about PTSD. Something has to be done,” said Maureen O’Boyle, Kevin's mother, according to a press release announcing the donation. “I recently learned of the Home Base Program and from what I know, it’s an extraordinary resource and I am enormously grateful the donation is being made to them.”

During the check presentation, Maureen O'Boyle joined members of Sudbury for Wounded Warriors and representatives from the Home Base Program.

Among those in attendance was Board of Selectmen member Bob Haarde, who is a co-founder of Sudbury for Wounded Warriors along with Brendan Mahoney.

“Sudbury for Wounded Warriors is a group of volunteers who raise awareness and money for American service men and women returning home from war with devastating injuries,” said Haarde. “I’m happy to be part of this group and to be making this donation. It makes me feel like I’m doing something—albeit small—to help the cause and give back to those who have served.”