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Date: 7/31/2015
AGAWAM – The city of Agawam honored its Purple Heart City designation at a ceremony on July 29 at School Street Park.
Members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Western Massachusetts Chapter 875 gathered to present the town with a flag, plaque and sign.
Chapter Commander Brian Willette said Agawam is special city for veterans.
“This is a great community for veterans’ activities,” Willette said. “There’s no community in Western Massachusetts that has exactly what Agawam has … It’s absolutely incredible. It’s an honor to do any activity in Agawam.”
In addition to being named a Purple Heart City, Main Street has been designated part of the Purple Heart Trail.
Mayor Richard Cohen said after the July 27 funeral for Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, the importance of this designation became even clearer.
“To see the support of the thousands of people who lined up along Main Street as Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan was taken to his final resting place, that’s why it’s so important that Main Street be designated a Purple Heart Trail,” he said. “The signs will be going up and with the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery right on Main Street it is just so fitting.”
Cohen said the process to make Agawam part of the Purple Heart Trail began about a year ago and honoring those service men and women is important for the community.
Main Street was an easy choice to serve as the designated trail, Cohen said.
“I think that roadway is fitting because this is the roadway that people drive down and pass by the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery, which certainly when you drive by you realize how costly the price of freedom is,” Cohen said. “It’s very appropriate that Main Street is proclaimed a Purple Heart Trail, and I’m very grateful to the [Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 875] for helping us do this.”
In addition to Main Street being the road that leads to the Mass. Veterans Cemetery, Cohen said it was the George Washington Memorial Highway, which only adds to the meaning. Willette recounted how General George Washington rode horseback down Main Street on his way to Boston to take command of the Continental Army.
“There’s a lot of history on Main Street in Agawam, and this just adds to the importance and creates a symbolic and honorary system of roadways,” Cohen said.
Purple Heart Appreciation Day falls on Aug. 7, and Purple Heart City signs are available for sponsorship for $100. The name of the sponsor and a Purple Heart recipient can be included on the sign. Willette said Cohen sponsored Agawam’s first Purple Heart City sign.