Rain canceled the parade but some programs were held indoors.
The World War One monument at the Veteran's Memorial Plaza next to the former Chicopee High School.Find more Memorial Day stories and photos.
CHICOPEE – City residents recognized veterans who were killed as early as in the Civil War, but were also reminded to thank those who are serving in the military today.
Thunderstorms canceled parades planned in Chicopee’s downtown and Fairview sections, but city residents still honored fallen soldiers during indoor ceremonies Monday. Veterans groups also placed wreaths on monuments in the Willimansett and Aldenville sections of the city.
At the former Chicopee High School, the combined Chicopee Comprehensive High School and Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School bands performed patriotic songs and Chicopee High School Junior ROTC members served as escorts and carried the American flag for the event.
A variety of different veterans organizations including several American Legion posts also participated and Gold Star parents and spouses, who have lost a family member in war, were recognized.
Col. Samuel C. Mahaney, the operations squadron commander for the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base, talked about the sacrifices Western Massachusetts residents are making now, as well as those who were killed in past wars.
Since 2001, more than 1,500 troops from Westover have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Just last week a crew of reservists flew a C5 Galaxy jet into Afghanistan, he said.
“There is never a day when the men and women are not in harm’s way,” Mahaney said. “As we pause to reflect, let us not forget the families who live right in our midst.”
He also told the crowd that members of the 439th Airlift Wing have been involved in war for 20 years. Ever since the first Persian Gulf War in 1991, the United States Air Force has stayed behind to enforce the no fly zone over Iraq.
During the ceremony, Joseph O. Roberts, of Chicopee, was honored. Days earlier he was awarded with the Charles H. Tracy Award given to a city resident who has committed himself to helping veterans.
Roberts said he served in the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1984. Although he was serving during peace time, he developed breathing and hearing problems because of the work he was doing.
He registered with the Disabled American Veterans and has been assisting veterans to get military benefits they are entitled to receive ever since.
“I like what they did at the DAV,” Roberts said.
Recently Roberts said he has been very busy, working with 135 people just in Chicopee who needed to file for benefits over the past three months. While there have been a few veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan the majority are Vietnam War veterans who are applying.
During the ceremony, Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette warned veterans that federal lawmakers are considering cutting funding to help homeless veterans and for other veterans programs.