CAPT. JOHN C. VELIS (WNG File Photo)
WESTFIELD – State Representative John C. Velis, a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, found out on Friday afternoon that he is being called up in two weeks for a six months deployment in Afghanistan. Being Memorial Day weekend, he kept it quiet.
“Memorial Day is about those who lost their lives fighting for our country, not about those who are still living,” Velis said on Tuesday.
Velis, who is running unopposed for his House seat in November, said he may miss Election Day. “It doesn’t appear that I will be back stateside on the day of the election. I would be back to be sworn in,” he said.
Velis, who has a perfect voting record until now, said his only regret is it isn’t happening later in the summer. “I’ll only miss six weeks of formal voting,” he said, before they go on break, which doesn’t end until after the election season. “For a service member who is also an elected official, it happened without a doubt at the best time for it to happen. I am going to be deployed largely while we are at recess,” he added.
Velis also said he will have a “fully operational and fully functional” legislative office during his absence. He also said his colleagues have pledged to advocate for Westfield in his place, mentioning Sen. Donald F. Humason, Jr. and all of his colleagues.
Velis said he has already finished advocating for Westfield in the budget, and as far as his pending bills, he had been getting emails and texts all day on Tuesday from his colleagues asking what they could do. “With absolute certainty, I have been assured by all of my colleagues that they’re going to fight for all of my bills,” he said.
Velis said there is an unspoken rule, when someone is mobilized or deployed, that there are no political parties. “My constituents are going to be more than adequately represented on Beacon Hill in my absence,” Velis said.
Although he will miss his break, Velis at 38 said he is filled with enough energy for a few different people and doesn’t mind. “The energy, the mindset, my Type A personality make it easier,” he said.
This will be Velis’ second deployment in Afghanistan. He doesn’t yet know what his assignment will be, but said part of what he’s going to be doing in earnest over the next two weeks will be looking for further guidance on the mission.
“For those of us who are still serving, this is part of the deal as a citizen-soldier. When you’re called, you go,” Velis said.
He may also be getting some more news after he goes. “The Major promotion board is meeting as we speak,” Velis said on Tuesday.
