The Westfield Republican Committee will honor local citizens and veteran for their service to others, the community and the nation, at the Annual Lincoln Day Brunch at the East Mountain Country Club at 10 AM on Saturday, February 9th. Master of Ceremony Senator Don Humason will be joined by special guests and elected officials. The honorees are: Outstanding Community Service, Harry Rock; Veteran Of The Year, Don Wielgus; Youth Award, Joe Tierney; and Volunteer Award, Doug Lyman of Chicopee.

“I am highly honored and very flattered to be recognized for outstanding community service. We all do what we do because we love our community, our city and our country. It is not about personal recognition. It takes a village to accomplish anything significant, and I am very grateful for the many volunteers who have stepped up to help with the Westfield 350 celebrations!” said Harry Rock.

Don Wielgus, a Marine who served as Squad leader of a Flame Thrower Unit, served in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and as an Orderly to US Navy Admiral James Russell at NATO headquarters in Naples, Italy. Don is a member of American Legion Post 124, Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 1847, Vietnam Veteran’s Chapter 219, and Marine Corps League, Detachment 141, which he served as Commandant for 2 years. Don served as Project Manager for numerous projects, including the Eternal Light Installation and Drinking Fountain at Parker Park, the Purple Heart Trail, and placement of American flags on Memorial Day at Pine Hill Cemetery. He is a Lifetime member of the Westfield Sportsmen Club and Friends of the Senior Center. He is a very active member of St. Peter & St. Casimir Parish. 6 days a week, Don picks up and delivers food for the Westfield Food Pantry and Samaritan Inn. Don is best known by many for his constant presence at many community events as photographer for the Westfield Evening News. In his spare time, he is the owner of Wielgus Painting & Decorating and volunteer at the Westfield Homeless Cat Project Animal Shelter; organizing and visiting nursing homes, hospitals, shut-ins at Easter and Soldiers Home. Has been known to fill in for Santa Claus on his day off.

Doug Lyman will receive the Volunteer Award for his enthusiasm and determination in grassroots organizing. Doug was an Eagle Scout, honorably discharged as Cadet from the Army ROTC program, and worked in Graphic Design and Marketing. Doug decided it was time to do something and get involved. Doug organized his ward and city committee in Chicopee, and became a delegate to the 2018 State convention. Doug worked to organize and promote volunteer activities in 3 counties, collecting nomination signatures, standouts and events. Doug used his skills as a photographer to obtain press passes at events, and capture volunteers working on the campaigns of Geoff Diehl, Jay McMahon and Marie Angelides.

Joe Tierney is a Westfield State University student who grew up in Westfield in a close-knit family. Joe is being recognized for his outstanding effort to involve young people in the political process.

Tickets are $28 per person and can be ordered by February 4th by emailing: [email protected], phone: 860-604-5264, or mail: Westfield Republican Committee PO Box 1301 Westfield, MA 01086.