Sheila Hickson (middle) was honored with the Americanism Award during the American Legion’s Veterans’ Day ceremony.
Reminder Publishing photos by Ryan Feyre
EASTHAMPTON — Despite a blistering cold day outside, the hall room inside the American Legion Post 224 was emanating a warmth as the Easthampton community honored Veterans Day with its yearly ceremony.
Following a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” by the Easthampton High School Band, the legion honored the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War by inviting Forrest Abild, the senior vice commander of American Legion Post 224 and Vietnam War veteran, to speak about his experience during the war.
Keynote speaker and Vietnam War veteran Forrest Abild spoke about his war experiences to a crowd at the American Legion. 
The Easthampton High School band played renditions of the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America during the ceremony 
Easthampton Veterans Services Agent Thomas Geryk hands the Veteran of the Year award to James Hickson.
Later on, James Hickson was honored with the Veteran of the Year award for his service time and efforts on the Easthampton Veterans Council, where he helped restore plaques on the Park Street War Monument and led coordination for Veterans Day and Memorial Day services.
His wife, Sheila Hickson, was recognized with the Americanism Award for her “tireless volunteerism” during all kinds of American Legion events. The couple met at the McConnell Air Force Base in Witchita, Kansas.
The event was emceed by Veterans Council Secretary Thelma Issri and included remarks from Easthampton Veterans Services Agent Thomas Geryk, who also presented the awards.
Mayor Salem Derby was in attendance to read Gov. Maura Healey’s Veterans Day proclamation, and the EHS band closed out the ceremony with “God Bless America” and a performance of the military branch songs.
