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Soccer jamboree to honor fallen Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna

WEYMOUTH, Mass. — Don Whitaker has been working the phones as he helps honor his fallen high school classmate, Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna.

“That day changed Weymouth and you know a really negative situation obviously somehow turned into a positive and brought the community together,” Whitaker said.

Whitaker is one of the organizers of the Sgt. Michael Chesna Memorial Soccer Jamboree. After being postponed for a year due to Covid, the 3rd annual tournament kicks-off Saturday morning at Lovell Field in Weymouth. It will honor and raise money in the names of the 42-year-old Chesna, who was shot and killed in the line of duty in July 2018, and 77-year-old Vera Adams. The lifelong Weymouth resident who was also shot and killed that day.

“It’s just a positive day there’s a lot of sportsmanship. It’s just a great day for Weymouth and for soccer,” said Weymouth Police Chief Richard Fuller.

About 70 teams from Massachusetts are signed-up. They include kids, men’s, women’s and co-ed teams. Weymouth PD even has two teams competing. Chief Rick Fuller says the tournament is important for his department as it carries on Sgt. Chesna’s legacy.

“He’ll never be forgotten and this is just a great way to honor him,” he commented.

Money raised will benefit the Chesna Family Fund, the Love For Linley Foundation, which is a non-profit that supports families affected by pediatric cancer or other critical illnesses. In addition, two $10,000 scholarships will also be awarded to graduating students from Weymouth and Hanover high schools who are seeking a degree in criminal justice.

Sgt. Chesna was raised in Weymouth and lived in Hanover with his family.

“When we issued that scholarship in name of Sgt. Chesna the idea is whoever receives that scholarship, they’re going to remember the name Sgt. Chesna for the next 50, 60, 70 years,” Whitaker said.

The goal of the tournament is to raise $40,000.

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