In the News

Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal and Springfield Veterans’ Activities Committee Observe Vietnam Veterans’ Day

|   City News

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Congressman Richard E. Neal, Director of Veteran Services Tom Belton and Deputy Director of Veteran Services Joe DeCaro joined with the Springfield Veterans’ Activities Committee for a special observation ceremony to honor and recognize Vietnam Veterans’ Day. The event included a wreath laying ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial on Veteran’s Way.

William Walls, Chairman of the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee, served as the Master of Ceremonies.  The Central High School Air Force JROTC presented the colors.  Staff Sergeant Hanna Smith sang the National Anthem, and Pastor Donald Luster and US Air Force Veteran gave the invocation.  The ceremony included greetings from Mayor Sarno, Congressman Neal, Springfield Veteran Services’ Director Tom Belton and Sgt. Gumersindo Gomez, President of Vietnam Veterans of MA.  Retired Army First Sergeant John Sagan served as the keynote speaker.  The reading of the names on the Vietnam War Memorial was done by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 111.  The Rifle Salute and Taps was provided by the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery Honor Guard. 

Mayor Sarno presented a special proclamation to City Councilor Kateri Walsh (and family), honoring the memory of her late husband, Daniel Walsh, Vietnam Veteran, former City Councilor, Veterans’ Services Director for the city of Springfield and 1990 Veteran of the Year.     

Veterans from across western Massachusetts attended the ceremony.  Other officials in attendance included City Council President Jesse Lederman and Councilors Kateri Walsh and Justin Hurst, and the Winchester Square Vietnam Era Veterans.   

Mayor Sarno states, “The City of Springfield is proud to honor and recognize our Veterans, especially our Vietnam Veterans who have honorably served our great Nation.  I want to thank our Director of Veterans’ Services Tom Belton, Deputy Director of Veterans’ Service Joe DeCaro and our Springfield Veterans’ Activities Committee Chairman Bill Walls and all the Committee members for their continued efforts not only for coordinating this event to honor our Vietnam Veterans, but for everything they do for all of our Veterans every day.  This year we take a moment to honor the memory of the late Daniel Walsh, a proud Marine Corp. Vietnam Veteran, City Councilor and Director of our Veterans’ Services who we sadly lost last year.  America is still the greatest Nation on Earth.  We are the beacon of democracy, strength and opportunity, thanks to the sacrifices and dedication of our proud Veterans and their families.  God Bless the United States of America and God Bless our Veterans.”    

Back
Page last updated:  Tuesday, March 1, 2022 01:32 pm