Good morning Westfield! I want to start this week’s update with a sincere thank you to everyone who went out to vote this past Tuesday in our municipal elections. As I said last week, I firmly believe that no matter who you vote for, turning up at the polls is one of your core duties as an American citizen. Congratulations to all of those who were elected (or re-elected), especially our new City Councilors Matt Emmershy, Nick Morganelli, and Mike Burns. I look forward to working with you all in the coming years. To all the candidates, win or lose, thank you for putting in the time and dedication to our City’s wellbeing. It is no small task for candidates or their families to run a campaign and put themselves in the public eye. I commend everyone who had the courage to step up to the plate this year and hope that you will continue to take a keen interest in city politics.
On another note, today is truly one of the most important days of the year. Veterans’ Day is the day that we as a nation stop and think of the millions of men and woman who have raised their hands to protect and serve our country. For those of us who have served, it is a day to reflect on our experiences and remember those we served with who are no longer with us.
This week, I attended and spoke at several Veterans’ Day events, including the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home ceremony, a dinner dance with the VFW, and breakfast with the Boys and Girls Club. Throughout the year, I make it a priority to attend Veterans’ events, but this week, in particular, tends to book up quickly with all sorts of salutes, parades, and ceremonies. One of my favorite parts about attending all these events is, of course, meeting and sharing stories with vets of all ages. It is humbling to hear the tales of older vets who stormed the beaches of Normandy or battled over the 38th parallel in Korea, and it is inspiring to know that there are so many among us that have been to Vietnam, the Gulf, the Middle East, and countless other conflict zones to protect and defend our Constitution in more recent years.
If there is one commonality that all the vets and active duty members I meet share, it is a deep-seated love for this Country and a powerful sense of purpose. On April 6th, 2013, while I was deployed in Afghanistan, the base I was stationed at was attacked by a suicide bomber. 3 American Soldiers, 2 State Department Employees, and an Afghan Doctor were killed while on their way to deliver books to school children. In the military, the violent loss of American lives anywhere, for any reason, is a devastating blow, but it is also a strong motivator. The death of those 5 Americans shook us to the core, but nevertheless, I will never forget how proud I was to get up that morning and plan our mission with my fellow soldiers. Our message was simple: they may have hit us hard, but we would hit them harder.
While all of our individual stories are different, it is this common understanding- that our American ideals and fellow citizens are worth defending with our lives- that makes a vet, a vet. We may not all agree on politics or religion, but we all agree that The United States is by far the greatest country on Earth, and an affront to just one of us is an attack on us all.
Veterans’ Day is also a great time to remember the great responsibility we bear to make sure that we are looking after our vets, young and old, who spent years looking after us. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has a long track record of going above and beyond for our returning service members, but there is always more to be done. As Vice Chair of Veterans and Federal Affairs, I am honored to represent vets across the state and to work on legislation to improve their quality of life.
Before I go, I want to speak briefly to our Vietnam Veterans. I have often said that the way you were treated when you returned from war is one of the worst black marks on American history. What you endured- getting spit on, sworn at, and mistreated- was an absolute disgrace. When I think of your experience versus the experience of vets returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, it gives me a heavy heart. In more recent years, returning veterans have been given welcome home bonuses, military discounts, and countless offers of help- something all of you deserved. However, even in the wake of so much disrespect and injustice, when I returned from war, the first people to extend their hands in friendship were the Vietnam Vets. I will forever be grateful for your kindness, gratitude, and understanding. So, to all the Vietnam Vets out there from Westfield and beyond, thank you for your service, and WELCOME HOME!
That’s it for this week, folks, but as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at (413) 572-3920 or [email protected]. Enjoy your weekend and go thank a vet!
