Agawam City Council President Anthony Russo and Veterans Council Chair Patrick Asta-Ferrero stand next to the new bell tower at the veterans memorial at School Street Park.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
AGAWAM — Visiting School Street Park, people might notice something new, and yet familiar at the veteran’s memorial. Standing across from the military branch flags and the plaques highlighting Agawam residents who served in the nation’s various wars is a brick tower that houses the city’s memorial bell.
The tower, the idea of City Council President Anthony Russo and Veterans Council Chair Patrick Asta-Ferrero, was brought to life solely through donated services and the hard work of volunteers.
The city’s first veterans’ memorial was on the site of Phelps School, but as Russo pointed out, the memorial was not accessible during school hours. In October 2025, Agawam officials cut the ribbon on a new memorial at School Street Park. The memorial reused the plaques from its Phelps School predecessor, but the 100-year-old bell was not part of the design.
After several conversations, Russo said he found that he, the Veterans Council, the Community Preservation Committee and the Historical Commission were disappointed that the bell had not been included in the new memorial. Russo began reaching out to contacts he had through the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers to ask if they had any interest in rectifying the situation.
“Money’s always a factor,” said Russo. However, the bell tower was completed without using taxpayer money, due to the generosity of the community.
The tower was designed by Ray Casella of Casella Design Associates. Joe Capasso Masonry donated the brick and block, and Sullivan and Narey Masonry contributed the mortar, grout and reinforcing steel. Chicopee Concrete Service gave the Redimix concrete for the cap, while the concrete for the base footing was sold at a “gigantic, discounted price” by Chester’s Concrete, Russo said.
Veterans Council members gave their time and labor to build the tower. Recalling the work to frame the tower, Asta-Ferrero said, “Six hours, every Saturday, for all of August and into September.” Russo, Maurice Shanahan and Leo Chenevert, all BAC LOCAL 3 union masons, performed the masonry work.
Russo said the city had the bell sandblasted and re-dipped to look its best in its new home.
“It really goes to show what the people of Agawam think of their veterans,” said Russo, while Asta-Ferrero commented, “It just goes to show you the respect.” He said many military members from the Vietnam War were not treated with respect upon returning home. He said those veterans still remember that and have made sure to give others the respect they did not receive.
Russo said he and Asta-Ferrero are not finished with their plans to add to the memorial. Post-and-chain fencing is due to go up around the memorial to provide a visual cue that the space is a memorial. There are plans for a small statue honoring Agawam native Gen. Creighton Abrams, for whom the Abrams tank is named. People can purchase one of the red bricks pavers at the memorial for $125 and have a veteran’s name and military branch inscribed. The money raised from the bricks will be used to fund the Veterans Council’s Veterans Assistance Program, up to $175,000.
Sitting quietly on a bench, admiring the flags flapping in the wind, the plaques warmed by the sun and the bell hanging in its tower, Russo remarked, “This is stunning.”
