Former Senior Chief Petty Officer recognized for 28 years of naval service and dedicated work as town’s veteran service officer
The Westford Select Board opened their June 10, 2025 meeting with a special recognition ceremony honoring Terry Stader, a Navy veteran who has served both his country and the town of Westford with distinction.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Stader joined the United States Navy in 1971, specializing as an electronics technician in long-range radar and communication systems. Assigned to the USS Gridley, a guided missile cruiser, he served three tours of duty in the Western Pacific as part of the Vietnam War effort over the course of his 28-year military career.
During his naval service, Stader received numerous honors including two Navy and Marine Corps Accommodation medals, two Navy Achievement Awards, and was named New England Sailor of the Year. He was honorably discharged in 1999 during a retirement ceremony held aboard the USS Constitution at the Charleston Navy Yard.
Continued Service in Westford
After moving to Westford in 1983, Stader immediately became involved in community service, joining the police amateur radio team and becoming active in Skywarn, a national network of volunteer severe weather spotters. He also served as an instructor for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and received the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce Robert W. Lewis Award in 2006 for outstanding volunteer service.
In 2010, Stader began working for the town as veteran service officer and veterans agent, where he became known as a fierce advocate for local veterans and their families.
“Terry served as my veteran service officer since he began,” said select board chair, Tom Clay. “He’s been a fierce advocate on behalf of our veterans and their families, working tirelessly to connect them with benefits and services, serving as a liaison with military organizations, and organizing our Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies.”
Community Impact
Fellow veterans and town officials praised Stader’s pastoral approach to his work. Former select board member Scott Hazelton noted, “Within five minutes you understood that Terry didn’t have the care of an administrator—it was the care of a pastor. As a country, we have a military ethos that says we leave no man behind on the battlefield. Terry left no veteran behind in retirement.”
Colin Bode, Westford’s new veteran services officer, emphasized the challenge of following in Stater’s footsteps: “The number one thing I’ve heard coming into town is you have some really big shoes to fill. I’ve never met somebody who’s such a public servant – honestly – in my entire life.”
Stader’s wife Lynn noted that his dedication to community service reflected his small-town upbringing, where “everybody did what you do for your town—volunteer.”
In accepting the recognition, Stader reflected on his work: “It’s wonderful to be able to get benefits to a veteran who really deserves it. I took this job to bed with me at night—it was part of what you do. It’s a commitment, and I really loved doing it for this town of Westford.”
The ceremony concluded with sustained applause from the packed meeting room, as community members gathered to honor a man who exemplified service both in uniform and in civilian life.
