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Date: 11/9/2023
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Along with the usual parade and ceremonies, West Springfield will mark Veterans Day on Nov. 11 with the unveiling of two parking spaces reserved for veterans at Town Hall.
Jorge Santiago, the town’s head of veterans services, said West Springfield’s parade will start at St. Thomas the Apostle School, 75 Pine St., at 10 a.m. It should end at Town Hall, 26 Central St., at 11 a.m. Marching in the parade will be military personnel, the Fire Department and honor guard, and the middle and high school marching bands.
Also marching will be West Springfield’s Veteran of the Year, Dallas W. Stuck, and representatives of the Veteran Business of the Year, Donut Dip. The annual awards honor veterans who make “continuous efforts to better our community” and “whose dedication to our community is shown in their volunteer efforts,” and businesses that support veterans with money, time or other resources. Both awardees were chosen by the West Springfield Veterans Advisory Board.
The parade will be followed by a ceremony on Central Street. The ceremony will feature guest speakers, a performance from an elementary school chorus, the West Springfield High School marching band, and speeches from Mayor William Reichelt and from Stuck.
During the ceremony, the town will unveil two parking spots designated for veterans in front of town hall. The spots are some of the closest to the building.
“We wanted to honor our veterans in town with two parking spots so they can have designated parking spots when they come to the Town Hall … just saying that we see them,” said Santiago.
A veteran himself, Santiago said it means a lot to him to honor veterans, which he does every day, not just on Veterans Day. He feels honored to try and make these events better every year. He said on the day, veterans get to hang out with friends, smile and enjoy themselves.
“It’s just a day to honor every veteran that has served,” he said. “We just keep their memories alive, just honoring their sacrifices that they have put forward for this county.”
Santiago believes it’s important for non-veterans to come to these events and give their gratitude.
“It means a lot seeing our civilians supporting our military personnel, our veterans who put their lives at risk every day,” he said.
The day will start at 7 a.m. with a march by veterans groups on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, which runs between Front Street in West Springfield and Bridge Street in Agawam. There will be a prayer, followed by words from the mayors, if they would like to speak. West Springfield will lay a wreath on the bridge, followed by an invited guest throwing Agawam’s wreath into the Westfield River. The event will end with a 21-gun salute by the American Legion firing squad. Spectators are welcome to observe.