Appreciating Veterans

Veterans Day Observances

Belchertown High School held its annual Veterans Day observance on Friday, November 8th, in Veterans' Memorial Auditorium. As always, Mrs. Vigneux, BHS Principal did a fabulous job with the Student Council organizing this observance with the entire student body and staff. Larry DiCara, among Boston's most recognized attorneys and civic leaders, was the keynote speaker. Mr. DiCara is involved with Boys and Girls State, which several of our students participate in, thus the invitation to speak. Musical selections were provided by the Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble. Our own Dean of Students and Athletic Director, Douglas Daponde, a U.S. Air Force Master Sargent, posted and retired the colors. The most touching moment was when the entire student body stood in absolute silence while Joe Brozek and Joe Auclair played taps in memorty of those who gave of their lives in service to our country.

MSGT Daponde in uniform

On Monday, November 11th, I attended and participated in the town's Veterans Day observance in Veterans' Memorial Auditorium at BHS. Veterans from all branches of the military were present and played a role in the ceremony. Music was provided by the CHCS 6th grade band and chorus. The keynote speaker was MSCT, William Lafever, Retired, US Army. 

MSGT William Lafever addressed attendees at the Belchertown Veterans Day Observance

I was pleased to be invited to say a few words to recognize our Veterans, which I share with you here:

Good morning. On behalf of the Belchertown Public Schools, I welcome all of you who have served or are currently serving our country in the armed forces and I thank you for your dedicated service. We owe you and your families a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

Over the course of history, America has had mixed reactions to those who served their country. Some veterans, such as those who returned from combat in World War II, came home to a hero’s welcome. Others, like my oldest brother who served in the United States Army in Vietnam, found themselves returning from politically unpopular conflicts, coming home to a country divided and to the disdain of those who did not agree with our involvement in them.

Three years ago, my mother pulled out a box of letters from my brother. He wrote home almost daily while in Vietnam and she saved every one of them. She wanted to give them back to him, but her failing health kept her from being able to organize them, so I took on this task. As I opened every envelope to put them into notebooks in chronological order, I took the time to read each letter. In doing so, a flood of memories came back to me of my freshman year in high school and the sacrifices we made as a family – the constant worry that my parents carried until he came home safely, the holidays and birthdays missed, the void we felt without him there, and the pain of separation he felt while away from us. The lesson for all of us is that, despite our political views, the service and sacrifice of our warriors, no matter where and when, are still to be honored.

Today, we honor those who have served, those who have died, and those who continue to serve our country and their families who have given so much on our behalf. It is right and fitting that we do so in this place, named to honor those from our town who have served its citizens with brave dignity. Abraham Lincoln spoke these words almost 150 years ago on the battlefield at Gettysburg, and they are still true today:  

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

The sacrifices of many have given us what we often take for granted; the ability to speak freely, to worship freely, to participate in a democracy that thrives on our ability to vote according to the dictates of our conscience, and to enjoy liberties that many others across the globe cannot. Our highest gratitude for the service of those gathered here and so many others is to not allow their sacrifice to be in vain, but to cherish the gifts we have been given as a result and to use these freedoms wisely. Thank you to all our veterans and active duty military personnel for your service and ensuring that we continue to enjoy these freedoms on which our country was built.

As always, if you have any questions or comments about this blog post, please feel free to call me at 413.323.0423 or send an email to: superintendent@belchertown.org.

Best regards, Dr. Judith Houle, Superintendent of Schools