Rep. John Velis. (WNG file photo)
HOLYOKE, MA- State Representative John Velis (D-Westfield) will be this year’s keynote speaker at the annual Veterans’ Day ceremony at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke. Representative Velis is currently a Captain in the United States Army Reserve and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs in the State Legislature. Additionally, he is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, where he served from 2012-2013.“As a member of the Armed Forces, Veterans’ Day is extremely important to me. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to participate in the ceremony at the Soldiers’ Home this week. The residents at the Soldiers’ Home have all risked their lives to defend this country throughout the decades, and it is our duty to remember their service and the sacrifices of countless other Veterans in the Commonwealth,” says the Representative.
Velis has made a point of prioritizing Veterans since assuming office in 2014. In his tenure as State Representative, he has passed the Stolen Valor Act, which criminalizes the impersonation of a military member for financial gain, and made national headlines for defending the American flag in the wake of pretests at Hampshire College following last year’s election. This session, he has been a driving force behind the push to extend a Veterans’ hiring preference to public safety jobs across Massachusetts.
“Veterans’ Day is the perfect time to remind everyone of the responsibility we all have to ensure that our vets are taken care of- from young vets returning to civilian life from active duty to elderly vets who need and deserve the best senior care available,” continued Velis. “The Soldiers’ Home is a great example of this commitment, and I know I speak for the entire Western Mass delegation and our constituents when I say that we are extremely lucky to have such a valuable institution in the region.”
The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is a state-run and state-funded health care facility for eligible veterans, providing residential and out-patient care to patients in Western Massachusetts. It is home to over 250 veterans currently receiving long-term care.
“The Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke is deeply honored to have Representative Velis as our keynote speaker for our 65th Veterans’ Day celebration at the home. Representative Velis is definitely no stranger to the home- in fact, he one of our most trusted supporters and allies,” says Lieutenant Colonel Bennett Walsh, Superintendent of the Soldier’s Home.
“His support stems not only from his status as a member of the United States Army Reserve, but from the sincere love and support he has for all members of the Armed Forces- both those currently serving and those who have served out great Commonwealth and country,” continued Bennett. “We could not think of a more fitting local leader to pass on official Veterans’ Day greetings to our residents, their families, and to our dedicated caregivers at the Soldiers’ Home.”
The ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 9th, at 10 AM in the Soldiers’ Home Canteen. The Representative will also be taking part in Veterans’ Day celebrations later this week with the VFW and Military Order of the Purple Heart, and will be speaking at the Westfield Veterans’ Day Parade and the Annual Ceremony at the Agawam Veterans’ Cemetery on Saturday.
