Don is a veteran of the Vietnam war.  He returned home in 1966 and joined American Legion Post 277 in Indian Orchard.  He is a Past Commander of the Post, and a Past District Three Commander, as well as a former Department Historian for Massachusetts.   Don has been a member of the American Legion for 60 years.  He is a former teacher and administrator for the Springfield schools. Don is currently the Secretary of the Sixteen Acres Civic Association and President of the Springfield Golden Agers. Don was honored as the Springfield Veteran of the Year for 2021.