Former Westford Resident Granted Bib

WESTFORD — Right before the New Year began, I had the pleasure of speaking with someone who was not only a longtime Westford resident but also my childhood neighbor. When I saw his email pop up, I was blown away by his story.  I was equally elated to see a familiar name that, like magic, brought memories of my Pierce Avenue home rushing back. 

Brad Cassidy grew up in Westford and attended Westford Academy. Cassidy explained that he had always known he wanted to go into the military. It was a goal he had set for himself early on, but high school truly solidified that decision. “I think what really excited me about it was the leadership and teamwork. I kind of experienced that at WA, being on the baseball team and the football team, and being the captain. I really enjoyed that aspect. It was something I liked, and I wanted to pursue it,” Brad stated.

Brad Cassidy went on to attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he participated in ROTC. He served six years in the military, attending Army Ranger School before entering selection assessment for the Ranger Regiment, where he was selected for the Second Ranger Battalion. Brad was deployed twice to Afghanistan and, in 2023, decided it was time to leave the military and return home to be closer to his family.

This, however, was not the end of Brad’s journey with the military. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. Since leaving active service. Cassidy turned to running.  “Obviously, the military is huge about running, and I am naturally not a good runner. But I had a boss who was a Division One track athlete, so after deployment, I decided to force myself to become a runner. The way I did that was by signing up for the Tacoma Marathon in Tacoma, Washington.” 

That was only the beginning. Brad went on to complete the Oklahoma City Marathon and the Philadelphia Marathon as well. He explained that the discipline and commitment required to train for a marathon closely mirrors the structure and regimen of military life, something he was already accustomed to and genuinely enjoyed.

Running the Boston Marathon had always been a dream., e He recently put his name forward to run on behalf of Fisher House. Their mission is “to provide a home away from home where military families, including active, guard, veteran, or retired, can stay free of charge while a loved one is receiving in-house treatment at one of Boston’s world-renowned medical centers.”

Brad explained that while many incredible nonprofit organizations support military families, his personal connection to Fisher House runs deep.  “Every dollar they make, they try to put back into the hands of the people who need it. They have a clear mission with a tangible impact on families, which I am really passionate about,” he said.

What struck me most was how clearly Brad emphasized that his time in the military did not just affect him, but also his family. This is something that often gets overlooked. Fisher House makes it a priority to ensure that does not happen. Having a loved one in the military can place an enormous strain on a family, and this was one of the major reasons Brad ultimately chose to leave active duty and come home after six years of service.

 “You are constantly moving, everything is in flux, and you do not really have control over anything,” Brad explained.

Today, Brad is 30 years old and living in New York, where he attends New York University in pursuit of an MBA. He is currently training for the Boston Marathon this April, and shortly thereafter, he and his wife will welcome their first baby. 

To support Brad and Fisher House, you can donate using this link.