SOUTHWICK – At a ceremony over the weekend, Southwick VFW Post 872 recognized Ellsworth and Shirley Odell, who are Gold Star parents. The Odells’ late daughter, Nancy Odell-Liupakka, was killed in a motor-vehicle accident while serving in the U.S. Navy in Gaeta, Italy in 1987.
Gold Star families are immediate relatives of members of the military who died in battle or in support of certain military activities.
VFW Post 872 Commander Ryan Dietert and fellow member Troy Henke spearheaded Saturday’s event which took place at the Odells’ home. VFW members were joined by Select Board members Doug Moglin, Joe Deedy, and Russ Fox.
Sen. Don Humason recognized Shirley and Ellsworth Odell at their home on Saturday, who are Gold Star parents. (Photo courtesy of Southwick VFW Post 872)
State Senator Donald F. Humason attended the event and presented two legislative citations to the couple. One citation was from the State Senate and the other was from the House of Representatives and State Representative Nicholas A. Boldyga, who was unable to attend the event.
“I was really honored to be able to participate,” said Humason, noting the couples’ dedication to honoring those who serve in the military. “They’ve stayed very active and they’ve continued to remind people why it’s important.”
Fox also gave the Gold Star parents a citation on behalf of the Town of Southwick.
The Odells were honored due to their 31 years of support in Southwick, and Shirley’s participation in nearly all civic and veterans’ events occurring in town.
“We just felt it was time for them to be recognized,” said Henke. “The town and the legislators, not only did they agree, but they enthusiastically came through with some recognition for them.”
Amber Dziengelewski, who is the sister of U.S. Army Major Austin Dziengelewski and a volunteer for VFW Post 872, secured the citations from the town and the Legislature for the Odells.
Shirley Odell, who served as a school nurse for more than 30 years at the Woodland Elementary School, remarked that a number of the individuals standing in her living room on Saturday were students that she took care of at Woodland.
Also present for the event and a part of the organizing were Jr. Vice-Commander Dylan Galland and member John Andrews of Post 872. Attending from the Auxiliary of Post 872, were District President and 872 Auxiliary Member Juliette Mason along with Elaine Andrews.
