The Holyoke community comes together at the War Memorial Building to honor the local veterans.
Reminder Publishing photo by Tyler Garnet
HOLYOKE — The Holyoke community gathered for the yearly Veterans Day ceremony inside the War Memorial Building on Nov. 11, put on once again by the Patriotic Events Committee of Holyoke.
The annual ceremony aims to celebrate the veterans who have served and/or are currently serving in the armed forces. The event emphasizes the city’s support as a community not just for veterans, but for their families as well.
The ceremony included individual awards for the Veteran of the Year, Wayne Klinge; Business of the Year, Nick’s Nest; Public Servant of the Year, Police Officer Melissa Rex; and Civilian of the Year, Holyoke Post Office Clerk Cathy Degutis.
Master of Ceremony and Holyoke War Memorial Building Commissioner Donald Anderejczyk, a veteran himself, talked about the importance of recognizing those who served.
“We all have something in common today. This is probably one day if you think about that we celebrate that we have so much in common with each other. We really want to thank our veterans because they are the ones that gave us all the freedoms we have. The freedoms in our country, the freedoms in other countries too. We want to bless them, or God bless them and their families, especially the gold star families. The military is a family,” Anderejczyk said.
City Council President Tessa Murphy-Robertson was also in attendance to offer some words on behalf of the City Council.
“Today as we gather to honor our veterans, we pause to reflect on the amount of courage and sacrifice that they have shown. These men and women stood in defense of our freedoms and values often enduring unmeasurable hardships in the name of our country. It is important to recognize that gratitude is not enough when our veterans return home, they face new battles adjusting to civilian, finding meaningful work, accessing health care and healing from the wounds that are not always visible. It is our duty to honor their sacrifices with support and ensuring they get the respect and resources they deserve,” Murphy-Robertson said.
Recently, state and local officials gathered at the Holyoke Veterans Home for a topping off ceremony on Nov. 7 where the final beam was placed on the new building.
While at Chicopee’s Veterans Day ceremony, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield), talked about the focus that Massachusetts is putting on helping veterans, including the new Holyoke Veterans Home.
He said, “If you come down Route 91 heading south, it’s like the phoenix rising from the ashes. What happened at the soldier’s home was a tragedy for all of those families. When you see the iron that is in place now and the steel that is in place and being able to button it up as we proceed to the winter months, it’s a great credit to all of [the veterans] for your advocacy.”
State Rep. Patricia Duffy (D-Holyoke) emphasized her commitment to supporting veterans and talked about the importance of continuous efforts in order to enhance veterans’ benefits in the state.
“Every day should and is Veterans Day, but of course on this day, we are recognizing them and Veterans Day is about gratitude and it’s also about promises and making some pledges and following through on those pledges. We are doing better in Massachusetts but we’re not done,” Duffy said.
Duffy acknowledged the recent passing of the HERO Act which is set to increase benefits and modernize services promote inclusivity for veterans and their families.
Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia talked about his recent experience at a roundtable on the rising rates of veteran suicide on Oct. 24 as U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Cambridge) and state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) and that there needs to be change.
Garcia said, “Thank you for your service doesn’t work for me the way it used to. Not after I participated in a roundtable on veterans’ suicide just two weeks ago. I have a hard time saying thank you for your service when the veterans we are thanking represent a large percentage of America’s homeless. After the roundtable, I do look forward to putting heads together with [Holyoke Veterans Services Director Jorge Santiago] and our City Council at budget time to ensure the city of Holyoke is doing its part.”
Garcia read a proclamation to honor Veterans Day. The ceremony ended with the award presentation, ringing of the bell, retiring of the colors and taps.
