March 2025 Meeting Highlights

As promised, we spiced up our latest meeting with some new features:

Remember Veterans Speeches
The Friends first "Friends Volunteer Spotlight"
Door Prize

We also had some delicious home baked treats!

Check out the photos below to get an update on what's been happening with The Friends of the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam, and what's been scheduled for 2025.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported our non-profit group through sponsorship, donations and volunteering. 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."

Special thanks to the President J.F. Kennedy Council 5585 for their generous donation toward a new fountain to be installed at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam, presented by Bill Tessicini.

The 2025 Board members and volunteer committees chart is below. New volunteers are always welcome! Any time you can spend with us will be greatly appreciated!

We've participated in nine separate events since our September 2024 meeting, with volunteers staffing our table at The Big E event for 10 days!

New Meeting Feature- The Friends first Volunteer Spotlight!

We plan to "Spotlight" a volunteer twice each year!

Marvin Howard is an Air Force Veteran, having served for six years. He has been a director for The Friends since 2017. Marvin is a member of American Legion Post 185 and its Honor Guard. He is a longtime volunteer at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam as a Chapel and Office Volunteer since 2003 and as a member of the Firing Party since 2013. He was Volunteer of the Year in 2005 and 2013. He has been present for over 12,000 interment ceremonies at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam, an incredible testimony to his commitment to our Veterans. He‘s read the Governor’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day proclamations every year since 2005, earning him the nickname “Mr. Proclamation.”

Learn more about Marvin on his Bio on our "Who We Are" page: https://www.agawamfriends.org/who-we-are

New Meeting Feature- Remembering Veterans

Two speakers shared fond memories of their fathers who served our country during WWII.

Please contact us if you have a veteran you'd like to share your memories of.

Not comfortable speaking in public? We'll be happy to read your notes for you!

We have several new events in the works! Keep an eye on our Upcoming Activities page for updates: https://www.agawamfriends.org/upcoming-activities

We'll also be sending emails and posting events on our Facebook page: Friends of the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam

We will be providing funds to replace the fountain at the MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam with the help of the President J.F. Kennedy Council 5585's generous donation. The new fountain will be larger and more fitting for the location.

The Pathway of memorial bricks and benches is being relocated. This project is in the planning stage.

We're also hoping to replace the current sign at the entrance with a Digital Billboard to welcome every veteran bein laid to rest.