WESTFIELD—Several Purple Heart recipients came to Westfield yesterday to see the unveiling of the first portion of the Purple Heart Trail in the city, but organizers are still short funds to complete the project.
Several were on hand for the unveiling of the first portion of the Purple Heart Trail. From left to right: Mayor Brian Sullivan, Tommy Prasenski, Scott Thomas, recipient of two Purple Hearts, Jane Wensley, John Hurley, Frank G. Mills II, John Velis, Dennis Yefko, Brian Willette, Mary O’Connell, and Jim Parker, recipient of three Purple Hearts. (Phot Credit: Don Wieglus)
Several military veterans, as well as Mayor Brian Sullivan, ward 4 city councilor Mary O’Connell, state rep. John Velis and others gathered for the showing of the first two signs of the Purple Heart Trail near Park Square. The trail, which was designed to honor Purple Heart recipients in the area and around the country, will be running along Rte. 202 in Westfield from Holyoke to Southwick once completed. Organizers say that the project though, still needs about $1,000 to be finished.
The Purple Heart recipients that were on hand each said they were honored by the trail and commended the city for what it was doing.
“This is great what cities are doing with the Purple Heart Trail for veterans,” John Hurley, US Marine and Vietnam War veteran from Chicopee, said. “This is a great amount of respect for the dead and living.”
Hurley earned a Purple Heart in 1970 while fighting in Vietnam. He was in a fox hole when an explosive charge was thrown into it, killing one marine and badly injuring Hurley.
“It’s a visual reminder that even though combat has ceased our veterans still sacrifice to this day,” Tommy Prasenski, US Army Iraq War veteran and Purple Heart recipient from Feeding Hills, said.
Prasenski earned his Purple Heart during his third tour in Iraq in 2007, when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated next to his vehicle. One of his fellow soldiers was killed in the blast and Prasenski suffered shrapnel injuries to his head and neck.
Another veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Brian Willette, said that the Purple Heart Trail can help to educate future generations about the sacrifices soldiers have made to protect citizens’ freedoms.
“It’s a great day of recognition for those who made the bodily sacrifice and the whole sacrifice for this country,” Willette said. “These signs mean that conversations will begin with children, teaching future generations what veterans are and sacrificed.”
Brian, along with his son Kevin Willette, both served in the US Army Guard and each received Purple Hearts during their times fighting in Afghanistan. Brian earned his in September 2010 after his truck convoy was hit by an IED, injuring Brian’s head and back.
Kevin arrived to Camp Phoenix where Brian was stationed following the blast a month later and presented Brian with the Purple Heart. Then, in April 2011 Kevin, while stationed at the front gate of the Camp Phoenix as a guard, was wounded by a grenade blast while quelling a surprise attack. No US casualties were reported and the attack was successfully suppressed. In addition to a Purple Heart, Kevin also received a Bronze Star of Valor for his efforts.
If anyone would like to donate, wants to be recognized as a Purple Heart recipient, or want to do either action in honor of a friend or family member, they can contact O’Connell at (413)218-4344 or [email protected], or Wielgus at (413)568-7767 or [email protected]
Donation can be made out to the American Legion 454, PO Box 367, Westfield, Massachusetts 01085.
