As a veteran, I was pleased with the Memorial Day Parade, and the ceremony a Stanley Park. We often forget that Decoration Day, the original Memorial Day start after the Civil War. But, while they created a holiday for their veterans, they also reneged on their promised benefits. Likewise, our WWI vets had their war bonus reneged upon, even after marching on Washington D.C., and camping out there to get congress to keep their promise. Federal troops were even used to break up their camps. It was with WWII that the Fed finally realized no war was to end all wars, and we would need defenders once again.
I say this as our Statehouse is looking into ending the existence of local vet reps, instead having centralized/regional vet offices. As a veteran, and someone who first thing when I started going to HCC started a veterans club, organized statewide to improve VietNam vet benefits, and who was a liaison to our then CongressmanConte to represent difficult vet issues, I realize the importance of having someone nearby; someone who knows your situation, and can know you.
So I talked with Rep. Velis during the parade about my concerns and he reassured me, as a military man and fellow Army guy that he would oppose this plan. I know he will, but he could use our help. I want you, the people of Westfield to write, or email Rep. John Velis and let him know your support so he can say he has a 1,000 voters saying no to eliminating the local vet rep. I want to encourage our veterans organizations to do likewise by contact their members to join in this effort. And, while we are at it, contact the Governor and let him know we stand with our veterans and we want to keep the local Vet reps in our cities and towns.
Brian Hoose
60 Arnold St.
Westfield, Ma. 01085
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
