Elks car show — A car show to raise funds for therapy cats for veterans will be held at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Northampton Elks Lodge 997, NAPA Auto Parts in Northampton and the Veterans Association of Western Massachusetts are sponsors.
The event is called “Cruising for Cats,” and is a cruise-night style car show with prizes, food, drawings and a disc jockey who will be playing feline inspired music.
Money raised from the event will help with expenses for two cats that live on the medical center campus in the community living center, which is a nursing home for veterans.
The VA receives no federal funding to care for the cats. Expenses include cat food, cat litter and veterinary care.
Admission for car owners and spectators is free but a cash donation to support the therapy cats program is appreciated. Drawings for gift cards from area merchants along with other prizes will be available. A “cat beauty contest” for anyone arriving in cat-themed attire or who decorates his or her car with a cat theme will be part of the event’s festivities.
Volunteers with the Veterans Association of Western Massachusetts, which operates the World War II Club on Conz Street in Northampton, will be cooking burgers and hot dogs and serving food donated by NAPA Auto Parts in Northampton.
The Leeds VA medical center, part of the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, will have an outreach tent to provide VA benefits and health care enrollment information. The federal Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program and other area veteran organizations will also be providing information.
In case of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday.
Calling the Roll
Following is a list of local veterans whose obituaries appeared in the Gazette between Aug. 4 and 17. The information given here about their service is what was provided in each obituary.
Edward J. Duggan Jr., 88, Leeds, d. July 31; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on board the USS Orion from 1951 to 1954 as an electrician’s mate, rising to the rank of petty officer second class.
John V. Garstka, 94, Southampton, d. Aug. 4; he was a World War II veteran, serving with the United States Army as a sergeant with Company E 120th Infantry, and was a prisoner of war. He received the Purple Heart Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
Michael J. Moreau, 52, Northampton, d. July 28; he decided to serve our country in the U.S. Army and was stationed for a period of time in Germany.
Chester Frank Mackowiak, 90, Easthampton, d. Aug. 5; he enlisted into the U.S. Navy and was a World War II and Korean War veteran, honorably serving his country for 10 years before his discharge on March 14, 1954. During his military career he served on the USS Salisbury Sound, USS Roanoke and the battleship USS Wisconsin.
Roland G. Peters, 93, Springfield, d. Aug. 3; he was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army.
Edward Joseph Molloy, Haydenville, d. Aug. 13; in World War II directly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ed was the first boy from Haydenville to sign up. Joining the Navy, he was a torpedo man serving on the USS Nields destroyer, among other ships. He served in Iceland, Ireland, Italy and Africa. Four of his brothers served in the Navy, Army and Army Air Corps.
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.