In May, a team of five Western Massachusetts police officers honored all fallen cops — 23,785 throughout American history, according to the memorial fund — by pedaling more than 300 miles from northern New Jersey to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Marie Colbert is a retired payroll clerk living in a small ranch house on Westfield Street. She takes pride in her home and was frustrated when she couldn’t keep it pristine.
CHICOPEE — Tom Hebert is racked by survivor’s guilt, and because of it, the former Marine is writing a seven-volume series of books about the Marine Corps.
EAST LONGMEADOW — When Paul Federici marches in the Fourth of July Parade this year, he won’t be somewhere in the middle with politicians, local businesses or bands. Federici, 68, will be stepping out first, as grand marshal of this year’s annual parade in East Longmeadow.