In Easthampton, the sound of gunfire, taps

By Owen Boss
Staff Writer

EASTHAMPTON - Three volleys of gunfire were followed by a gentle rendition of taps Thursday morning as city residents gathered at memorial sites across the city for Veterans Day.

The annual Veterans Day procession, organized by members of American Legion Dalton Lavallee Post 224 on Pleasant Street, included stops at the Old Town Hall, Brookside Cemetery and Emily Williston Memorial Library, where local veterans, dressed in uniform, laid wreaths and thanked the men and women who perished while serving their country.

At each stop along the way, Legion member Walter Sliz read a prayer honoring the dead and, after a three-gun salute, the flag over the memorial was raised from half-staff.

Among those present was local resident and U.S. Army veteran James Tenerowicz, his wife, Cathy, and son Jeff and, for whom Veterans Day is a family affair.

At a lunch afterwards at the local Legion Post, James Tenerowicz, who served in the Army for 18 years, sat proudly with his son, Jeff Tenerowicz, who was injured during his two years overseas with the U.S. Army, and his wife, Cathy, who served for 11 years as a combat nurse.

"Today is a really special day for all of us," Tenerowicz said. He said he was thinking of his youngest son, Justin, who is completing a second tour of duty in Iraq.

Inside the crowded banquet hall, more than 100 residents clapped and sang along with a series of patriotic songs played by members of the Easthampton High School Band.

Legion member Larry White, of Springfield, hosted Thursday's celebration and reminded those in attendance that Veterans Day is an opportunity to practice the freedoms that hundreds of local veterans have died to preserve. "Remember that we are all charged as Americans to protect, preserve and defend our constitutional rights," White said. "The men and women who are trying to establish those principles and beliefs overseas can't do that with us here today, so it is our responsibility to do it in their stead."

Also taking to the podium was Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, who said Veterans Day should be a day forever dedicated to peace. "So we gather together today in a very heartfelt way to remember those individuals who have sacrificed for Easthampton, for Massachusetts and for the United States of America," Knapik said. "And we remember that their sacrifice was born from a love of country and is one that is dedicated to peace for future generations."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com