HATFIELD — A staff sergeant in the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam in the late 1960s, Charlie O’Dowd saw firsthand the violence and horrors that can be inflicted by war.
Fifty years after moving to Hatfield, where he has made public service a priority, O’Dowd on Thursday morning enjoyed the company of other veterans, a plate filled with pancakes, sausages and eggs and the tangible outpouring of support for those who served in the armed forces.
“The very fact that the Council on Aging is putting this on shows the whole community response and gratitude that is expressed toward veterans,” O’Dowd said.
Being held for the second time at the Senior Center in Memorial Town Hall, the breakfast, a day before Veterans Day, brought out 44 former service members and their significant others to enjoy food prepared by Hamel’s Catering of Holyoke.
A sign reading “thank you to our heroes” and a walkway lined with small American flags were set up outside the building, and as guests arrived inside they were greeted by U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern and state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa.
“Every one of you deserves the admiration of our entire country,” said Council on Aging Director Geralyn Rodgers, shortly after she was among the servers bringing guests their plates of food. She publicized the second annual event through the center’s newsletter and Facebook page.
“Your service has helped our country and its citizens to stay safe and free,” Rodgers said.
She also thanked families for what they have given up and the risks veterans face. “There is no greater sacrifice than to offer one’s life for the greater good,” Rodgers said.
Sabadosa said she appreciates that the breakfast can help build community and conversation.
“One of the things I love about Hatfield is a level of patriotism that runs through this town,” Sabadosa said.
McGovern talked about how veterans have protected the values of the United States, making the country the envy of the world, and pledged to deliver on promises that have been made to those who have served.
In particular, McGovern noted the work done to make sure that the Veterans Administration Medical Center campus in Leeds would stay open, despite the VA study commission recommending that it be closed.
“Our promise to veterans, among other things, when they return is to have the health care they deserve and are entitled to,” McGovern said.
McGovern and Sabadosa both made their way around the room to speak with veterans. As he sat near O’Dowd, the veteran reflected on once sending a care package to his son, Chip, while on a tour of duty in Iraq, that included evergreen clippings in a plastic bag. Those clippings, he said, would help remind his son of the smells associated with Christmas trees and wreaths, even while in the desert.
“Presents and letters are important but sometimes it’s something out of the blue that can put your mind at ease,” O’Dowd said.
Those branches were then shared among the troops so they could talk about their own seasonal traditions and opened a new door to communication.
Other veterans also spoke of the importance of social gatherings like the breakfast.
Roy Seidell of Easthampton, who grew up in Hatfield, worked full time at the Air Force’s 104th Fighter Wing in Westfield from 1972 until his retirement in 2009.
“It’s nice to have this camaraderie with other people,” said Seidell, whose mother, June Lampron, accompanied him to the breakfast.
Seidell’s title was weapons ordnance systems mechanical foreman, and he oversaw the weapons systems of aircraft, including the A-10.
Sitting at the same table were Andy and Karen Paciorek of Northampton. Andy Paciorek was in the Army from 1957 to 1963, based at the 4th Division out of Fort Hood, Texas, as well as spending two years at a base in Germany. He was assigned to food service and was a cook for the other troops.
“It’s a pleasure to get together with other veterans and families,” Paciorek said. “It’s important to get together with the community.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
