OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
BOARD MEMBERS
NANCY GRODBERG
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT
Nancy is the President of Operation Blue Pride. She is a Scuba Schools International Scuba Instructor, SDI Instructor and Adaptive Scuba Diver Instructor (HSA and DiveHeart Certified). She has been involved in OBP since it became active in Boston, Massachusetts in 2014. She is committed to OBP's mission and is very grateful for the support of all who have volunteered and contributed to OBP's first 8 years of operation. She is very excited about OBP's upcoming season.
A treasured photo that retired United States Senator Bob Dole was kind enough to take with Nancy at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
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LAURA A. MCCALLION
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
VICE PRESIDENT & COURSE DIRECTOR
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
VICE PRESIDENT & COURSE DIRECTOR
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Laura is a PADI Course Director, Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor Trainer and Adaptive Scuba Diver Instructor Trainer (DiveHeart).
MATTHEW GREGORIO
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE VICE PRESIDENT & VETERAN OUTREACH COORDINATOR
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
BATTLE OF RAMADI, 2006
OPERATION AZADA WOSA & THE BATTLE FOR JUGROOM FORT, 2008
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE VICE PRESIDENT & VETERAN OUTREACH COORDINATOR
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
BATTLE OF RAMADI, 2006
OPERATION AZADA WOSA & THE BATTLE FOR JUGROOM FORT, 2008
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Matthew Gregorio was a graduate of the first class of Operation Blue Pride in 2014.
Matthew enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2005.
Matthew served with the First Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division. Matthew was not ready for how suffering presented itself while participating in the battle of Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. In the first month of my initial deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, he watched three of my best friends killed in action, experienced emotions never felt before, and genuinely prayed for God to save his soul. Matthew was fortunate to come home from that deployment with his life, although it had been changed forever. The experiences and anguish in Iraq allowed him to prepare the next generation of warriors for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan as Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operation Qualified). As the Breach Team Leader of the assault element for the 24th MEU, it was Matthew’s responsibility to breach and gain a foothold on the objective of every assault the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted while in Afghanistan. The most notable was Operation Azada Wosa and the Battle of Jugroom Fort. Matthew was diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina shortly after returning from his second deployment. The hidden wounds associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury brought on a new type of suffering Matthew wasn’t familiar with when ending his active service as a United States Marine.
Moreover, the trauma Matthew experienced during his developmental years as a teenager was exacerbated by the two combat deployments supporting the Global War on Terror. Adhering to years of necessary treatment has allowed Matthew to pursue an education from Liberty University and their Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Focused on Military Resilience from 2019-2022, learning everything he could about trauma and the trauma he attained while in service to America. Matthew believes that he is setting the example for all veterans that having a purpose in life and striving to reach that purpose, and a growth mindset are needed to eliminate symptoms associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Matthew is a passionate advocate on all issues pertaining to Disabled Veterans and Ocean Conservation.
Massachusetts Certified Veterans Service Officer
Education: Liberty University
B.S Psychology: Military resilience
Massachusetts School of Law: 2023 - Present
“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When ignored or invalidated, the silent screams continue internally, heard only by the one held captive. When someone enters the pain and hears the screams, healing can begin.” ― Danielle Bernock.
Matthew enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2005.
Matthew served with the First Battalion Sixth Marine Regiment, Second Marine Division. Matthew was not ready for how suffering presented itself while participating in the battle of Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. In the first month of my initial deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, he watched three of my best friends killed in action, experienced emotions never felt before, and genuinely prayed for God to save his soul. Matthew was fortunate to come home from that deployment with his life, although it had been changed forever. The experiences and anguish in Iraq allowed him to prepare the next generation of warriors for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan as Battalion Landing Team 1/6, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operation Qualified). As the Breach Team Leader of the assault element for the 24th MEU, it was Matthew’s responsibility to breach and gain a foothold on the objective of every assault the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted while in Afghanistan. The most notable was Operation Azada Wosa and the Battle of Jugroom Fort. Matthew was diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina shortly after returning from his second deployment. The hidden wounds associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury brought on a new type of suffering Matthew wasn’t familiar with when ending his active service as a United States Marine.
Moreover, the trauma Matthew experienced during his developmental years as a teenager was exacerbated by the two combat deployments supporting the Global War on Terror. Adhering to years of necessary treatment has allowed Matthew to pursue an education from Liberty University and their Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Focused on Military Resilience from 2019-2022, learning everything he could about trauma and the trauma he attained while in service to America. Matthew believes that he is setting the example for all veterans that having a purpose in life and striving to reach that purpose, and a growth mindset are needed to eliminate symptoms associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Matthew is a passionate advocate on all issues pertaining to Disabled Veterans and Ocean Conservation.
Massachusetts Certified Veterans Service Officer
Education: Liberty University
B.S Psychology: Military resilience
Massachusetts School of Law: 2023 - Present
“Trauma is personal. It does not disappear if it is not validated. When ignored or invalidated, the silent screams continue internally, heard only by the one held captive. When someone enters the pain and hears the screams, healing can begin.” ― Danielle Bernock.
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, JOHN F. PUCILLO USN
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL OFFICER (RET)
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
VETERAN OUTREACH & FUNDRAISING
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL OFFICER (RET)
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
VETERAN OUTREACH & FUNDRAISING
Lieutenant Commander (RET), John F. Pucillo, enlisted in the Navy in
1991 as a Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Assistant.
Following his commission from Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2001, he served as 1st Lieutenant on board USS PIONEER (MCM-9)
On 19 May 2006 in Baghdad his patrol was attacked and a roadside IED blew into his vehicle and he sustained an above the knee amputation of his left leg, he was evacuated to Langstuhl, Germany and then to follow on care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for rehabilitation. From June 2006 to February 2007 he underwent rehabilitation and was transferred to Naval Explosive Ordnance Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) Indian Head, Maryland where he assumed the duties as Readiness and Training Officer for NAVEODTECHDIV. During his tenure at NAVEODTECHDIV he earned his designation as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, returned to full active EOD duty in August of 2007. He finished his 27-year career in the Navy retiring out of Little Creek VA at the Naval Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center. He remains a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
John is a frequent speaker at Veterans' outreach events.
1991 as a Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Assistant.
Following his commission from Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2001, he served as 1st Lieutenant on board USS PIONEER (MCM-9)
On 19 May 2006 in Baghdad his patrol was attacked and a roadside IED blew into his vehicle and he sustained an above the knee amputation of his left leg, he was evacuated to Langstuhl, Germany and then to follow on care at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for rehabilitation. From June 2006 to February 2007 he underwent rehabilitation and was transferred to Naval Explosive Ordnance Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) Indian Head, Maryland where he assumed the duties as Readiness and Training Officer for NAVEODTECHDIV. During his tenure at NAVEODTECHDIV he earned his designation as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, returned to full active EOD duty in August of 2007. He finished his 27-year career in the Navy retiring out of Little Creek VA at the Naval Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center. He remains a lifetime member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
John is a frequent speaker at Veterans' outreach events.
JOHN BURROWS, OIF, NAVY CORPSMAN
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
DIRECTOR
VETERAN OUTREACH & FUNDRAISING
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
DIRECTOR
VETERAN OUTREACH & FUNDRAISING
John Burrows is a combat Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a Navy Corpsman attached to a Marine infantry battalion in 2004 that served in the Anbar Providence of Iraq. He, like thousands of other service members, was exposed to daily mortar, IED and direct fire attacks. When he got home he found it tough to connect with people that didn’t share the same experiences. Also, he always felt more comfortable around other combat vets.
In 2015, an Army vet and coworker told him that he had heard of a program that certified veterans in scuba diving for free, Operation Blue Pride. Scuba diving was always something he wanted to try but between his family and work he didn’t feel that he could justify the time and money. But his buddy insisted and John signed up. John describes how he feels about signing up, getting certified with Operation Blue Pride and how it has impacted his life.
"I’m so happy that I signed up. The certification process was fantastic. I met other vets from the area and remain friends with them to this day. I didn’t realize how helpful diving would be for me both personally and professionally.
Diving is a lot like a military mission. You have a team. You get your gear ready and come up with a plan. Then you execute your plan together while watching out for each other. Diving forces you to stay calm, slow your breathing and relax. Slowly swimming along and taking in the underwater sights is a form of meditation for me now. Its calming effects are obvious, especially to my wife, who will tell me to go diving when I appear stressed.
Operation Blue Pride has also afforded me the opportunity to advance my career as a police officer. With my certification I, along with two other OBP graduates, applied for and got accepted to the Boston Police Dive Team. Now I can use my passion for diving to continue to serve the citizens of our city. We have been further certified in advanced diving and train twice a month with our department.
I can’t say enough about the program. I have and continue to recommend it to every vet I meet. Diving has now become part of who I am and that was only possible because of Operation Blue Pride."
In 2015, an Army vet and coworker told him that he had heard of a program that certified veterans in scuba diving for free, Operation Blue Pride. Scuba diving was always something he wanted to try but between his family and work he didn’t feel that he could justify the time and money. But his buddy insisted and John signed up. John describes how he feels about signing up, getting certified with Operation Blue Pride and how it has impacted his life.
"I’m so happy that I signed up. The certification process was fantastic. I met other vets from the area and remain friends with them to this day. I didn’t realize how helpful diving would be for me both personally and professionally.
Diving is a lot like a military mission. You have a team. You get your gear ready and come up with a plan. Then you execute your plan together while watching out for each other. Diving forces you to stay calm, slow your breathing and relax. Slowly swimming along and taking in the underwater sights is a form of meditation for me now. Its calming effects are obvious, especially to my wife, who will tell me to go diving when I appear stressed.
Operation Blue Pride has also afforded me the opportunity to advance my career as a police officer. With my certification I, along with two other OBP graduates, applied for and got accepted to the Boston Police Dive Team. Now I can use my passion for diving to continue to serve the citizens of our city. We have been further certified in advanced diving and train twice a month with our department.
I can’t say enough about the program. I have and continue to recommend it to every vet I meet. Diving has now become part of who I am and that was only possible because of Operation Blue Pride."
THOMAS M. FINN, OIF, 379th ENGINEER COMPANY
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
VETERAN OUTREACH & FUNDRAISING
OPERATION BLUE PRIDE
VETERAN OUTREACH & FUNDRAISING
Thomas M. Finn participated in, and achieved, his open water certification in an Operation Blue Pride scuba class in the summer of 2015. Tom has since joined the Boston Police Dive Team, has joined the OBP Board of Directors and is actively involved in OBP's veterans outreach and fundraising.
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