CABARET FUNDRAISER – VFW Post 8006 Florence will be hosting a cabaret show “Letters From Home,” featuring Emmy nominated actress Courtney Groves and Erin Diaz April 21 at 7 p.m. The show is being presented by the Massachusetts State Commander VFW special project fundraiser. Proceeds go to the “Honor Flight” which sends WWII and Korean War vets to Washington DC to view their memorials.
Tickets are $20 and available at the Florence VFW Post 8006 or visit www.vfwma.org.
The event will start with free hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available. For further information call 584-8006
AGENT ORANGE INFO – Vietnam veterans and their families are invited to attend a town hall April 22 at Greenfield Community College to receive information on the impact of the chemical Agent Orange and benefits and services available for veterans who were exposed to the chemical.
Agent Orange was widely used during the Vietnam War to clear vast stretches of jungle and scientists have since linked the chemical to cancer and other health problems.
The town hall will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at GCC’s main building dining commons and is open to all veterans from throughout New England.
Veteran service organizations will be available to make appointments to review eligibility for veterans to file for a claims with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
Representatives from the VA will provide information on treatment for Agent Orange-related diseases and on Hepatitis-C.
A free health screening will be offered from noon to 1 p.m. followed by a main program featuring speakers on the topic.
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information contact Tim Niejadlik, director of Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans’ Services, at 772-1571, or GCC’s Veterans Affairs Counselor Christopher Demars at 775-1825.
Following is a list of local veterans whose obituaries appeared in the Gazette between March 16 and 29. The information given here about their service is what was provided in each obituary.
Bruce K. Wagner, 72, Westfield, d. March 10; he was a Vietnam veteran serving with the United States Army.
George Drew, 82, Easthampton, d. March 9; he served with the United States Army.
Kevin J. Shepard, 68, Easthampton, d. March 14; he served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam veteran, earning the Bronze Star.
Irving J. Milewski, 84, South Deerfield, d. March 16; he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.
Richard “Rick” A. Fortier, 81, New Port Richey, Florida, and Granby, d. Feb. 13; he served in the Air Force.
Richard W. Balise, 78, Florence, d. March 15; he joined the United States Army, serving during the Vietnam War as military police.
Gilbert Mason Smith, 87, d. March 9; he was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1951.
Cuyler Ramsey Caldwell, 86, Atlanta, Georgia, d. March 21; he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Vincent Joseph Silluzio, 91, Northampton, d. March 21; he served two years active duty in the U.S. Navy between 1944 and 1946. He served on both the LST 582 and on the captured Japanese battleship Nagato.
Bernard Clifford Decker Jr., 86, Hanover, New Hampshire, formerly western Masachusetts, d. March 16; he joined the U.S. Army infantry shortly after college and served through 1954, including an assignment in a MASH unit in a Korean War combat zone.
John A. Herring, 69, Sutton, formerly Northampton, d. March 20; he was selected during the Vietnam draft and proudly served his nation in the United States Army.
Edwin L. Matusewicz Sr., 92, Northampton, d. March 20; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Edwin served as an Aviation Machinist Mate Second Class during World War II aboard the USS Baltimore.
Victor Lesko, 97, Hadley, d. March 23; he enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1942 and served aboard the USS Gen. William Mitchell troop transport ship. He received the Philippine Liberation Medal, European African Middle Eastern Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1945.
Francis D. Smith, 90, Amherst, d. March 25; he served a hitch in the Navy; At Iwo Jima in 1945, he was an 18-year-old sailor serving aboard the aircraft carrier Bismarck Sea when a kamikaze attack destroyed the ship, killing more than 300 of its 900-member crew. He was discharged after the war with the rank of petty officer second class.
Stephen Joseph Blair, 47, Greenfield, d. March 23; he joined the United States Air Force, ultimately ending up at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, as a proud member of the 21st Security Police Squadron where he made many lifelong friends and very fond memories; he was honorably discharged in 1991 after his first term of enlistment.
Lawrence J. Martin, 96, Easthampton, d. March 27; he was a World War II veteran serving with the United States Army.
Thomas J. Brushway, 80, Florence, d. March 26; he joined the U.S. Army Aviation Wing from 1957 through 1960 as a tandem helicopter mechanic.
Veterans Voice appears twice each month. Send submissions to Veterans Voice, c/o Brenda Nelson, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Box 299, Northampton, MA. 01061; or email bnelson@gazettenet.com..