HOLYOKE — Speaking with veterans on Friday at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, Gov. Charlie Baker said he is glad to see more widespread respect for veterans in recent years.
“I think this country over the past 40 years, the past 50 years since Vietnam, has tried and done a fairly good job of making sure every man and woman who has served this country and put themselves in harm’s way gets our thanks and respect,” Baker said.
On the eve of Veterans Day, Baker made stops in Cambridge, Springfield and Holyoke, the latter of which is a frequent stop on the governor’s agenda for the holiday.
While Baker made his rounds, he spoke with veterans from World War II, Korea and, increasingly at the Holyoke home, Vietnam.
“This is the third time I’ve met the guy,” said Richard Howes, a 74-year-old Vietnam veteran. “He comes here every year.”
Soldiers’ Home trustee Brian Corridan, a former Navy officer, said Baker is a frequent visitor to the home.
“(Baker) has been very faithful about going back to the Soldiers’ Home whenever he is in western Massachusetts,” he said. “They have shown a tremendous amount of interest in what goes on here.”
Corridan says the Soldiers’ Home is currently at max capacity, housing more than 250 veterans, including 13 women. He commends the health care, administrative assistance and “hundreds” of volunteers that help the center run.
“It is the place of last resort for some people,” he said. “It is our veterans and our volunteers that make it a home.”
Recently, an alleged understaffing issue and increase in the number of patients falling down have raised questions about the quality of care offered at the facility. The state began an audit of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke in the fall of 2016 after an audit of the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea revealed safety and sanitation concerns.
Corridan said that despite the criticism, the state and federally funded agency has “tremendous” oversight. They are audited annually, and there have been no unscheduled audits on the facility, he said.
“They were unfounded allegations, and unsubstantiated charges by anonymous sources,” Corridan said.
The state will soon study the long-term needs of the Soldiers’ Home after the state Senate passed a bond bill Thursday. A report based on that study will be filed on March 31, 2018.
While veterans were on Baker’s mind Friday night, the governor did field questions from the press on several topics during the visit.
One such question involved news that Massachusetts State Police Colonel Richard McKeon had retired amidst allegations of altering an arrest report involving Judge Timothy Bibaud’s daughter.
While the governor did not ask McKeon to step down, he believes it was the right thing to do.
McKeon’s replacement will conduct a review of policies and procedures for arrest reports, Baker said.
Sam Cernak, a 98-year-old World War II veteran, reminisced about his time as a medic in the armored cavalry. Having grown up on a farm in Hatfield, he originally wanted to join the cavalry to work with horses.
“I thought there’d be horses, but I got there, and there was only tanks,” Cernak said. “It’s all mechanized now, no more horses.”
Cernak lived in Easthampton before moving into the Soldiers’ Home about 10 years ago. He enjoys the facility and says the food is good, especially the hot dogs.
After speaking with Baker, Cernak said, “He seems like a very nice gentleman. I hope he keeps the budget for the Soldiers’ Home for the veterans, doesn’t make any cuts.”
A Cub Scout Troop from Granby also attended the event, passing out cards and doughnuts to the veterans.
“I feel any time we can get involved in the community and let the public see what we do is good for the kids,” said Cub Scout troop leader Jessica Jubinville, 42. “It gives the kids a sense of pride to be around the veterans in a uniform.”
In his closing remarks, Baker expressed hope that increasing respect for veterans will make more men and women in uniform comfortable coming home.
“I have folks in the military say to me all the time, that, you know, once upon a time you were a little nervous walking through the airport wearing a uniform,” Baker said. “You don’t feel that way anymore, and I think that’s a good thing.”
Sarah Robertson can be reached at srobertson@gazettenet.com