During our general meeting on July 10th we reviewed The Friends volunteering events, accomplishments during the first half of 2024, and upcoming events including the October Fundraiser and Wreaths Across America.
Two of the highlights of the meeting were the announcement of the new chapel blinds purchased with funds provided to the chapel by The Friends of the Agawam Veterans Cemetery, and the presentation of The Friends plaque carved by Air Force veteran Amy Morin. The plaque will be hung in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam along with the existing plaques that represent various veterans' organizations.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our fundraisers, your support makes it possible for The Friends to continue working on our mission to "honor those who served and are interred there and to support their families and enhance the burial ground." The beautification programs and new chapel blinds, shown among the photos below, are just two examples of The Friends accomplishments toward this mission.
We sincerely appreciate the many dedicated volunteers who show up, regardless of the weather, to help at our events!
The headstones require cleaning and preservation on a regular basis. Many thanks to those who have volunteered in the past to help the cemetery staff maintain the headstones that mark the graves of our loved ones and this country's heroes!
Funds are provided to purchase flowers for the cemetery in the spring and fall. The beautification program and the incredible cemetery grounds crew keep the cemetery a beautiful and peaceful place for families to visit their loved ones.
Save the date: Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the Sons of Erin in Westfield, MA.
The General Gist band will be performing at this year's fundraiser! As always, there will be lots of raffle prizes, entertainment, food trucks and more. Details will be provided as the date gets closer. We hope to see you there!
Planning for the annual Wreaths Across America event continues throughout the year! This event couldn't happen without the incredible sponsorship of over 9,500 wreaths and all the organizations and individuals who donate their funds, equipment and time!
As always, sincere thanks to the grounds crew for their enthusiastic support of WAA.
The Friends provided the funds to replace the old blinds with new beautiful blinds.
The old blinds, at left, were broken and could no longer be raised and lowered. The new blinds, right, are beautiful and function smoothly with a remote control.
This plaque showing The Friends logo was carved and donated by Air Force veteran Amy Morin. The plaque will hang in the chapel with the other plaques donated by other veteran organizations.
Amy presenting her carving to The Friends officers from left to right; Kathleen Duquette, Daniel Florian, Delfo Barabani, and Edward Fitzgerald at our July meeting.
Delfo Barabani, The Friends president, accepting the plaque from Amy.
The plaques in the Veterans Memorial Cemetery chapel are hung on the two side walls as shown in the top photo, below. (Photo was taken prior to the installation of the new blinds.)
Another of Amy Morin's artistic creations is the mural she and Victor Valcareel painted at the new Western Mass Post 9/11 and Service Dog Memorial Park in Chicopee.
Built in honor of the members, service dogs, and heroes who passed away in the September 11th attacks. There are 27 signs educating people about weapons, aircraft and vehicles used from MA units in a 20-year walking timeline.
Units would paint murals to leave their mark after they were gone. At the secondary entrance to the park is a mural that represents their artwork.
Thanks also to The Friends Sargeant at Arms, Mike Brunetti, who was involved in the planning of the park from the beginning.
We hope to see at our next general meeting scheduled for September 18th at 6:00 pm at the Agawam Senior Center!
You can find all scheduled events on our Upcoming Activities page at: https://www.agawamfriends.org/upcoming-activities.
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