Local Nonprofit Brings Service Member Home For The Holidays

Photo: Mike Macklin/WBZ NewsRadio

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Travelers leaving Logan International Airport caught a glimpse of a heartwarming family reunion on Saturday as Marine Prive First Class Antonio Marcucci embraced his mother.

Miles for Military, a local nonprofit where junior service members can trade volunteer hours for a round-trip flight to visit family, helped bring Private Marcucci home for the holidays.

“I haven’t been home for about six months,” Marcucci told WBZ NewsRadio. The Fall River native has been stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and said he will be heading to the west coast to start his career soon.

He added that missed just about everything about home, including the Boston winter. “It’s nice to come to the city," he said.

Founder Maureen Byrnes created the organization after her son said many of his comrades stayed behind in the barracks because they were not able to afford to go home for the holidays, “and it broke my heart,” Byrnes continued.

Marcucci's mother, Jennifer Harris, was waiting for him at the terminal and excited to spend some much-needed quality time. “We set up a little movie and take out for tonight,” Harris said. “He wasn’t home for any holidays last year so this is going to be fantastic.”

WBZ NewsRadio's Mike Macklin reports.

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