Providence Place recognizes veterans and families
Date: 11/18/2008
By Lori Szepelak
Correspondent
HOLYOKE Wartime photos of long ago places graced elongated tables in the foyer of Providence Place at Ingleside which sparked interesting conversations for family and friends of residents who participated in a Veterans' Day celebration.
As is customary each year, Providence Place hosts a special recognition ceremony and luncheon to acknowledge all the residents who served in uniform over the years. Providence Place is a 120-unit independent living retirement community sponsored by the Sisters of Providence.
As the sun broke through the clouds at exactly 11:30 a.m., Master Sgt. Patricia Schanzer and Tech. Sgt. Theresa Dionne of the 439th Patriot Wing Honor Guard at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee led the more than 60 people in attendance in a salute as a new flag was raised adjacent to the entrance at Providence Place. While the national anthem played in the background, Roger Korell and Brian Bowler of Providence Place raised the new flag.
Following the flag-raising ceremony, Sister Joan Ryzewicz, SSJ, director of resident programs, introduced each of the veterans who reside at Providence Place as they entered the dining room for a special luncheon.
"On this day, we unite with people throughout our nation, in paying tribute to the men and women who have served our country in the Armed Forces, and uniquely know the cost of that service," she said.
Veterans recognized at the luncheon included U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Martha Miller, U.S. Army Capt. Raymond Fanelli, U.S. Army Tech. 3rd Grade, Sgt. Leon Gutfinski, U.S. Army Pfc. Donald Lemieux, U.S. Army Communications T4, Louis Marino, U.S. Army Tech. Sgt. William O'Malley, U.S. Army Sgt. Leo Robert, U.S. Navy Machinist Mate 2nd Class, Guy Careau, U.S. Navy Coxwain Gene Charette, U.S. Navy Lt. Kenneth Nolan, U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist Mate, 1st Class Paul Sullivan, U.S. Navy Lt. Henry Wall, U.S. Naval Aviation, Lt. Junior Guard, Edward Quigley, U.S. Air Force Sgt. Harold Frey, and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Carleton.
Father Hugh Crean, chaplain, offered the grace before the meal. In his prayer, he noted we come to this day with a sense of joy and gratitude as we honor our veterans for their faithful service for our country and for all they have done for our freedom.
Following lunch, residents and their guests participated in a dedication ceremony by Richard Pelland, director of Providence Place.
Each year, Pelland donates a tabletop book to the Providence Place Library for all residents to enjoy. His donation choice this year was "The World War II Memorial" by Douglas Brinkley, and a DVD titled "Carrier," about an aircraft carrier currently in Iraq.
As veterans and their family members and friends exchanged tales of long ago, Army 2nd Lt. Martha Miller, 87, looked striking as she strode on the arm of her son, Dr. Dave Miller of Longmeadow. Miller is a rheumatologist with Springfield Medical Associates. He is also an Army veteran, having served for two years at the 120st Evacuation Hospital in Seoul, South Korea.
Miller couldn't resist talking about her time with the Army Nurse Corps which included a stint in the China-Burma-India Theater.
"We did whatever needed to be done to help the young men there," she said during an interview with Reminder Publications.
Miller was among 59,000 American nurses who served in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II. Nurses served under fire in field hospitals and evacuation hospitals, on hospital trains and hospital ships, and as flight nurses on transport planes.
Despite the primitive conditions she served under during the war, the one bright spot was meeting her future husband, Herbert Miller, an Army engineer, in India. The couple lived in Ohio and New York over the years, and with the passing of her husband, Miller moved to Western Massachusetts two years ago to be closer to her family.
"I'm very happy here," she noted of Providence Place.
As the emotions of the day set in, there were hugs and smiles for all in attendance.
"You get a little emotional," said Miller, adding, "it feels good when they honor the veterans."
