The Marine Corps League, Department of Massachusetts, visited the Soldiers’ Home recently to present checks to the Home’s recreation fund. From left to right: Bob Peloquin, junior vice commander, Westfield River Valley Detachment 141; Ernestine Stowell, retired colonel, U.S. Marine Corps and veteran at the Home; Dan Bishop, commander of the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141; Paul Barabani, superintendent of the Home; Don Rivette, Marine Corps League state liaison to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke; John Rutovich, New England Division paymaster for the Marine Corps League; and Francis Curnow, Department of Massachusetts chairman of the Finance Committee. (Photo submitted)
HOLYOKE – The Department of Massachusetts Marine Corps League recently donated $1,000 to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke in support of the Home’s recreation fund.
The Marine Corps League, with an active detachment in Westfield, supports various programs at the Soldiers’ Home to promote and honor the spirit and traditions of the Marine Corps and to help all veterans from any branch of service.
In addition to the donation which will go toward quality of life programs at the Home, the Marine Corps League sponsors and hosts several events at the Home to include breakfasts with veterans every month and holiday activities. A pig roast at the Home’s outdoor pavilion that the Marine Corps League leads every July is a highlight of the summer for veterans.
The league has 28 detachments in Massachusetts, including a local detachment, the Westfield River Valley Detachment 141. In addition to supporting veterans, the League also helps with community programs such as scholarships for students and Toys for Tots.
The donation to the Soldiers’ Home came from contributions from the national Marine Corps League, the state department organization of the league as well as from local detachments.
“Our goal is to support veterans in the community, including the Soldiers’ Home and other Veteran medical centers and hospitals in Massachusetts,” said Don W. Rivette, of Ludlow, the state liaison for the Marine Corps League to the Soldiers’ Home.
The League was chartered by an act of the United States Congress on August 4, 1937.
“The support provided by the Marine Corps League greatly enhances the quality of life for our residents,” said Paul Barabani, superintendent of the Home. “Without volunteer support, we cannot continue our day-to-day operations. The many programs the Marines support directly benefit our veterans. In return, I know they get a lot of personal satisfaction from being with fellow veterans.”
