HYANNIS – An organization that supports local veterans and Gold Star families has announced a new effort to help them heal by providing access to Sandy Neck Beach in Barnstable.
The Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Foundation will cover the full cost of a year round off-road beach permit to Sandy Neck for veterans and Gold Star families to heal through all the activities the beach provides, including fishing, hiking, campfires and more.
“Twenty-two [veterans] a day who made it home commit suicide every day in America and that bothers us,” Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos said.
“In Nick’s memory for all veterans we thought Sandy Neck Beach was the place to heal.”
Xiarhos’ son, Nick, a U.S. Marine, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009.
He said the idea for this partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Counseling Center of Hyannis, Fallen Heroes of Boston, the Cape Cod Foundation, and the Town of Barnstable, came from a visit to Sandy Neck a few years ago.
“When I was out on Sandy Neck Beach healing as a Gold Star family I thought of the past when my family was out on that beach with a big Suburban loaded with kids and it was special,” Xiarhos said.
The vets and families will also be provided with the equipment required for ORV users.
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