WESTFIELD–A veteran and a city councilor have come together to honor those who were wounded or killed in military combat and they need your help.
Ward 4 councilor Mary O’Connell and US Marine veteran Don Wielgus have teamed up to create a Purple Heart Trail through Westfield, and are currently seeking donations for the project. The trail is intended to go down both Pleasant Street and Broad Street, running approximately 10 miles to Southwick.
“What we would like to do is honour our veterans who aren’t being recognized,” Wielgus said.
“This is a meaningful way for Westfield to show support of all Purple Heart recipients,” O’Connell said.
The trail will feature a Purple Heart Trail sign every mile along the path.
Purple Heart
The idea was initially pitched to O’Connell from the Holyoke City Council, who has their own trail along Route 202.
O’Connell said it was a great idea and contacted Wielgus, who then contacted the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Don Wielgus
O’Connell and Wielgus drafted the proposition and submitted it to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, but the project wasn’t OKed by them until they received a proclamation from Mayor Brian Sullivan.
From there, the project went before Westfield city council, as well as John Camerota, chief of Westfield Police, and David Billips, superintendent of the Department of Public Works. All parties agreed to have the trail created.
The cost of the project is estimated to be between $2,000 to $3,000. The project is being funded completely by donations, and Wielgus is currently seeking donations of any monetary level for it.
Wielgus said that for those who donate their names will be placed on a plaque that will be installed in city hall at the official start of the construction portion of the project. If those who donate would prefer to remain anonymous, they can request that their names not be divulged when the project is done.
Ward 4 councilor Mary O’Connell
Additionally, O’Connell and Wielgus hope that this project will reach Purple Heart recipients in the area. There are over 1 million Purple Heart recipients in the US as of June 2010, but there is no database of them and no way to find the recipients in Westfield, Southwick or other surrounding areas.
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, Post Office Box 367, Westfield,MA 01085.
