Mass. veterans say having special license plate can be source of military pride
For Milford resident John DeSousa, having a veterans license plate is not for bragging about his time in the military. Rather, it's to take pride in serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
"I come from a military family, and I don't have it as a badge of honor — I have it to show pride in my service," said DeSousa, who served in the first Gulf War. "I just want to make sure people know there are veterans out there."
The Registry of Motor Vehicles offers several types of veterans license plates. In 2023, there were more than 45,000 such plates for cars and trucks and another 2,000 for motorcycles, according to information received from MassDOT in response to a Daily News records request.
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By far, most were veterans plates — 40,308. There were also 2,554 Bronze Star plates; 2,014 Purple Heart plates; 126 Distinguished Flyers plates; 87 Silver Star plates; seven Medal of Liberty plates; two Legion of Valor plates; and one each for being a Pearl Harbor survivor and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.
On top of that, licensed drivers can get specified stickers to indicate the branch of the military in which they served, or an American flag.
Why a Marlborough veteran said he got a veterans plate
Patrick Lyons, of Marlborough, has had special license plates for more than 20 years. But two years ago he switched from a Boston Red Sox plate to a veterans plate to represent his five years (1991-96) in the U.S. Army. During his time, he was deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia.
"It is really the only thing I have on my car related to military service besides my dad's dog tag and his bosuns pipe from his service in the Navy," Lyons said. "I come from a military family and I'm proud to show, but not brag, about my service. I guess the plate is just my way of showing my pride in being a former service member."
Most veteran specialty plates are free. Those applying for one must provide documentation to the RMV that they served in the military and/or received the award corresponding with the license plate they want. In addition, a surviving spouse can keep a Purple Heart plate until they remarry or they choose not to renew. If they remarry, it has to be returned to the RMV.
What happens to a veterans plate when its holder dies?
In addition, a surviving spouse can keep a Purple Heart plate until they remarry or they choose not to renew. If they remarry, the plate must be returned to the RMV.
A surviving spouse can also keep an ex-POW plate but must pay an annual $60 fee if they want to keep it, according to the RMV; otherwise, it must be returned.
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General veterans plates cost $100, which is $40 more than a regular license plate. To get the plate, applicants must provide documentation indicating they are military veterans. The extra $40 benefits the state-run Soldiers Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke.
Veterans determined to be disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are exempt from registration fees, according to the RMV.
DeSousa said he's glad to have his plate to honor his time in the Marines, although he said he could do without the extra fee.
"It's expensive — every time I renew them, I know it's expensive," he said. "I just wish it didn't cost as much as it does."
Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on X @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Mass. veterans say special license plates are source of military pride
