Western Massachusetts honor guard to participate in virtual inaugural parade for President Joe Biden
Updated Jan 20, 2021;
Posted Jan 20, 2021
Members of the Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars State Honor guard were selected to participate in the virtual inaugural parade. Here is the group in Szot Park in Chicopee. (submitted photo)
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CHICOPEE There will be no crowds at this year’s presidential inauguration in Washington, and the traditional ball has been canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But five Western Massachusetts veterans who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan will be there virtually to honor the flag and the country’s veterans from World War II.
On Tuesday, the first veteran residents at the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea received the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination was done onsite through a federal Long Term Care pharmacy partnership program with CVS and Walgreens. The onsite vaccinations also began for staff at the Soldiers’ Home.
In Chelsea, Dominic Pitella, 94, was the first resident vaccinated at the Soldiers’ Home. Pitella has been a resident of the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea since April 2018. Pitella, a U.S. Army Air Corps Corporal, was a cook with the 559th Air Service Group and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II 1945-1946. His awards include the Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
On Tuesday, the first veteran residents at the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea received the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination was done onsite through a federal Long Term Care pharmacy partnership program with CVS and Walgreens. The onsite vaccinations also began for staff at the Soldiers’ Home.
In Chelsea, Dominic Pitella, 94, was the first resident vaccinated at the Soldiers’ Home. Pitella has been a resident of the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea since April 2018. Pitella, a U.S. Army Air Corps Corporal, was a cook with the 559th Air Service Group and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II 1945-1946. His awards include the Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
HOLYOKE, Mass. (Tribune News Service) All Francis “Skip” Hennessy wanted for Christmas was a ride home. The 82-year-old U.S. Army veteran settled in at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke in late 2019. His mobility deteriorated after a fall. Mild dementia had taken hold. His daughter was comforted when her father won a bed at his twilight home of choice after 10 months on a waiting list. Initially, his move to the state-run facility was a bit rough. Staff were caring, albeit a little scant. The rooms were slightly cramped and threadbare. But by Christmas 2019 Hennessy donned a Santa hat and joined in the home’s holiday festivities, according to his daughter, Erin Schadel. Guilt over placing her father in a nursing home was replaced by relief.
National Guard Col. Michael Lazo named acting superintendent of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
Updated Dec 16, 2020;
HOLYOKE Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke trustees on Wednesday beat back an effort by state officials to name a new acting superintendent for the facility, instead voting unanimously to appoint their own pick.
National Guard Col. Michael Lazo, the new chief operating officer for the beleaguered state-run home for veterans, will replace outgoing interim administrator Val Liptak as she heads back to her post as CEO of Western Massachusetts Hospital on Dec. 20.
All seven board members voted to appoint Lazo during a special meeting. Lazo was an employee of Rhode Island Hospital assigned to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in response to COVID-19, according to his online profile.