Veterans Voice: News for vets

RECOGNITION DINNER – Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Granby, 256 State St., will hold its annual veteran’s recognition dinner Nov. 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the parish hall.

Pork roast, soup, vegetables, and dessert will be served. Tickets are $12, in advance and at the door. Free parking in the rear of the church. Credit cards accepted. Call the parish office at 467-9821 with any questions.

VETS DAY SERVICE – United Congregational Church Of Holyoke, corner of Appleton and Maple Streets, will honor veterans of all conflicts and remember veterans from World War II Nov. 10.

The worship service will begin at 10 a.m. and feature special music, a flower ceremony for fallen comrades, and a white table. A luncheon will follow at 11:30 a.m., free to veterans and their families. Suggested donation of $6 for other attendees.

VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION – Michael E. Smith Middle School, 100 Mosier St., South Hadley, Nov. 11. Doors open at 10:15 a.m. with light refreshments and coffee, ceremony at 11 a.m., featuring the presentation of our National Colors, guest speakers, wreath laying and Taps. The program will begin with the “Bells of Peace,” a national program of the World War One Centennial Commission. During the program, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3104 will award local student winners of the VFW’s “Patriots Pen” essay contest, as well as the VFW Post 3104 and Teacher of the Year. Middle School students will also make a presentation of their annual trip to Washington D.C. The event is hosted by South Hadley VFW Post 3104, American Legion Post 260 and The Sons of The American Legion Squadron 260.

VETERANS DAY CEREMONY – The City of Holyoke will hold a veterans’ day ceremony Nov. 11. Events begin from 8 to 9 a.m. with a breakfast at American Legion Post 351, and continue with donuts and coffee at 9 a.m. at the War Memorial Building. Commemorative services follow. There is a luncheon following at the American Legion Post 351.

DINNER DANCE – Veterans from all areas, and of all eras of service, are welcome at the Winchester Square Vietnam Era Veterans LTD 40th Annual Veterans Day Dinner/Dance on Nov. 16. at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Drive, Chicopee. A cocktail hour will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., dinner from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and dancing to the music of DJ “KLS” from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $55 each and sold in advance only – no tickets will be sold at the door. RSVP by Nov. 9. For information and tickets call: Thomas Belton 733-2667, Thomas Hodge 736-3594, or Joshua Lee, 782-6827.

VETERANS BREAKFAST – The Veterans Council of Northampton will hold the annual Salute to Veterans Breakfast at the Elks Lodge 997, 17 Spring St, Florence, Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. Free for all veterans, there is a $10 fee for accompanying guests. For additional information please contact the council at 584-8396. Tickets are available at VFW Post 8006; American Legion Post 28; Elks Lodge 997; WWII Vets and Veterans Office; and at 240 Main St., Room 4. Advance ticket sales only, no tickets will be sold at the door.

Following is a list of local veterans whose obituaries appeared in the Gazette between Oct. 17 and 31. The information here is what was provided in each obituary.

Ralph B. Carrozzo, 92, Leeds, d. Oct. 13; he was a veteran of the U.S. Army Signal Corps having enlisted at the age of 18. He served in Japan and in the Pacific in 1946-1947. Ralph was extremely proud of his military service to his country and actively supported veterans’ causes throughout his life.

William L. “Bill” O’Neill, 84, Easthampton, d. Oct. 18; he was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War era.

Robert E. Parent, 96, Northampton, d. Oct. 22; he enlisted in the Air Force. While he did not see combat, he was part of several rescue missions that supplied land-locked countries with supplies in the last days of the war, or “dropping SPAM over Holland,” as he told us.

Edward J. Pacocha, 94, Easthampton, d. Oct. 24; he was a World War II, U.S. Army Air Force Veteran, serving in the European Theater.

Robert Edwin Tilton, 90, Belchertown, d. Oct. 24; he proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War, being discharged as a corporal in 1953.

Douglas E. Sudnick, George, Utah, formerly Northampton, d. July 14; he enlisted in the United States Army, serving at Fort Hood, Texas. He also joined the Barnes Air National Guard.