Following is a list of local veterans whose obituaries appeared in the Gazette between Sept. 2 and 15. The information given here about their service is what was provided in each obituary.
Michael Anthony Estes, 68, Haydenville, d. Aug. 27; he proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam.
David Canby Bischoff, 86, Yarmouth, Maine, formerly Amherst, d. July 27; he served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force.
Gregory Weeks, 68, Hatfield, d. Sept. 4; in 1968, he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army for one tour of duty in Vietnam. Greg served in the 1/18 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One, and was discharged as a staff sergeant with numerous awards including the Bronze Star.
John Czajkowski, 72, Williamsburg, d. Sept. 6; he enlisted to serve in the U.S. Army from 1966 through 1969.
Ronald “Ron” Anthony Mazza, 65, Northampton, d. Sept. 6; he proudly served our country in the U.S. Navy on the USS Ashtabula AO-51 from 1970 until 1972 during the Vietnam War.
Arthur W. Carrier, 78, Southampton, d. Sept. 13; he proudly served in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne, earning numerous decorations.
STAND DOWN – With a goal to honor Vietnam Veterans, a one-day event called the Western Mass Veterans Stand Down will be held Sept. 30 to connect veterans and their families with resources to improve their quality of life and to provide information and referrals to assist them.
This year’s Stand Down will be held at the Greek Cultural Center in Springfield from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This will be the 27th year a Stand Down has been held in Springfield.
In previous years, more than 60 local, state, and federal organizations supported Stand Down and worked together to connect Veterans and their families with as many resources in one location as possible in one day.
Stand Down will start at 8 a.m. with coffee and light refreshments followed by an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. that will honor Vietnam Veterans. Lunch will be served from 1 to 2 p.m. The event is expected to conclude at 3 p.m.
“For military veterans, a Stand Down during their military service meant a return from the battlefield for hot meals, dry clothes, showers, and medical care,” said Gumersindo Gomez, executive director of Bilingual Veterans Centers of Massachusetts Inc., one of the organizers for Stand Down. “Today, our Stand Down is a way for the community to unite to address the needs of Veterans, whether it is homelessness, unemployment, health care or counseling services.”
Stand Down is open to all veterans, who can meet directly with regional veteran service providers to receive immediate services. Veterans are encouraged to bring their DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty to access services. Veteran representatives will be available to assist Veterans in need of locating their DD Form 214.
Gomez said in previous years, more than 500 Veterans and their family members have received benefits and assistance during Stand Down.
This year’s theme is “Coming Back Home,” said Gomez. “We will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and tell all the Vietnam Veterans in our community that a grateful nation thanks them for their service and honors them.”
The Greek Cultural Center is located in the North End of Springfield on Plainfield Street near the intersections of Main Street and St. George Road.
Agencies and organizations expected to attend include the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Benefits Administration Boston Regional Office, the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services, municipal veterans’ service departments, the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Social Security Administration, among others.
Free legal advice, financial counseling, haircuts, clothing and insurance information will also be available.
Veterans Voice appears twice each month. Readers are encouraged to submit announcements, questions, story ideas, military photos with captions and other materials of interest. Send submissions to Veterans Voice, c/o Brenda Nelson, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Box 299, Northampton, MA. 01061; or email bnelson@gazettenet.com.