(Editor’s Note: Arlington resident Bob McKersie occasionally writes pieces for YourArlington. This piece is an interview Bob did with the town’s new veterans service director.)
Robert C. Donovan is the newly appointed director of veterans services for the town of Arlington. In announcing the recent appointment, Town Manager Jim Feeney emphasized the importance of this role in connecting veterans and their families to financial resources and other benefits. The director of veterans services also coordinates community events and is charged with building trust within the veteran community here in Arlington.
Donovan is a retired Sergeant First Class (E-7), a U.S. Army combat veteran, and a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW). Most recently, he worked with the Home Base Program, a nonprofit partnership between Massachusetts General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation. Over the past five years, he served in a range of clinical roles, including Special Operations Program Manager, contributing to the organization’s mission to heal the invisible wounds of military service for veterans and their families.
In my interview with Donovan, he emphasized the importance of building trust in the community and said he wants to be a model who “leads by example” for the 1,300-plus veterans who live in Arlington. He is aware of the challenges and frustrations that can be exacerbated by mental health needs, and the lack of clear guidance as to what programs and resources are available at no cost to the veteran.
He is committed to building a more connected, multigenerational veteran community in Arlington by ensuring timely access to critical resources, serving as a key liaison and advocate for veterans and their families, and working to reduce barriers to services and care. Donovan also plans to expand outreach through new social media initiatives and, eventually, a newsletter that will highlight important resources for veterans while providing a forum to address key issues affecting the community.
In the near term, he will make his first public address at Town Hall during the Memorial Day program on Monday, May 25, 2026. Looking ahead, plans are continuing to take shape for a new Veterans Memorial adjacent to the central fire station. With the recent passage of the tax override, the project can now move into its final stages, bringing the long-envisioned memorial one step closer to reality.
This piece was published on May 2, 2026.
