Residents of western Massachusetts gathered to celebrate Veterans Day by attending events across the region. In the Florence section of Northampton, a small parade took place where spectators made a point of separating military service from politics. Suzann Bouchard, who wanted to honor her husband and other veterans in her family, expressed concern about the current political climate and its impact on veterans’ rights and benefits.
Similarly, Lexi Major, who was watching the parade with her children, spoke about the importance of thanking veterans even if one does not always agree with the reasons they are deployed. She emphasized that individuals enter military service for various reasons and should not be discredited for their service.
Various other communities in western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Amherst, Holyoke, and Agawam, also held Veterans Day events to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by military veterans. The celebrations served as a reminder of the importance of showing appreciation for those who have served their country, regardless of personal beliefs about war. Overall, the events highlighted the unity and gratitude felt by residents of western Massachusetts towards their veterans on this meaningful day.
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Photo credit www.vermontpublic.org