Library to display veterans documents

Date: 6/16/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- Two documents that honor Korean War veterans will make their permanent home at the Chicopee Public Library.

Chicopee resident Ken Usher, a member of the Korean War Veterans Chapter 2000, told Reminder Publications the charter for the founding of that groups and the original proclamation that named Interstate 391 as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway will be both formally presented to the library for display in a ceremony on June 22.

The program will start at 1 p.m. in the library's community room and is open to the public.

Usher explained the designation of Interstate 391 was accomplished with the assistance of State Rep. Joseph Wagner and Acting Gov. Jane Swift. Usher recalled how he asked Swift about the naming when she was making an appearance in Chicopee. Usher said she told him, "Get it to my desk and I promise I'll sign it."

Usher said that State Sen. Michael Knapik also helped in making the designation possible.

The process took a year and a half, he said. The highway received its official designation in 2002.

The charter for the veterans group, which was issued two years ago, didn't have a place for permanent display because the group doesn't have a meeting place of its own, Usher explained. They meet at American Legion Post 438 in Chicopee.

Usher said the documents would be exhibited on the lower level of the library near the area where several prominent military officers who are natives of Chicopee have portraits displayed.