Scouts honor veterans in Springfield

Families, community members and about 20 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts from Springfield and Chester joined veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces on Friday, Nov. 11 for a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 771 on River Street.

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2016-11-12 / Front Page Scouts honor veterans in Springfield By TORY JONES toryb@eagletimes.com A U.S. veteran and member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 771, left, stand with the Honor Guard during a Veterans Day Ceremony in Springfield. At front, from left, were Springfield American Legion Post 18 Commander Mike Fletcher, Mary Bowman with Post 771 Auxiliary, Post 771 Adjutant Vito DeMarco, Vermont Rep. Bob Forguites, guest speaker and U.S. Navy veteran Paul Herrick, State Rep. Alice Emmons (not seen), retired Springfield Fire Chief Ernest “Puggy” Lamphere, Springfield Police Chief Doug Johnston and SFD Chief Russ Thompson. — TORY JONES A U.S. veteran and member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 771, left, stand with the Honor Guard during a Veterans Day Ceremony in Springfield. At front, from left, were Springfield American Legion Post 18 Commander Mike Fletcher, Mary Bowman with Post 771 Auxiliary, Post 771 Adjutant Vito DeMarco, Vermont Rep. Bob Forguites, guest speaker and U.S. Navy veteran Paul Herrick, State Rep. Alice Emmons (not seen), retired Springfield Fire Chief Ernest “Puggy” Lamphere, Springfield Police Chief Doug Johnston and SFD Chief Russ Thompson. — TORY JONES SPRINGFIELD — Families, community members and about 20 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts from Springfield and Chester joined veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces on Friday, Nov. 11 for a Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 771 on River Street. Guest speaker was U.S. Navy veteran Paul Herrick, a registered nurse who served in the Vietnam War. Herrick, speaking to a large crowd at the VFW, said the United States asks all servicepeople to take an oath, and “that oath never expires.” “Every veteran I know wants to help. They want to do great things for our country,” he said. He also said that at any given time, about 40,000 veterans are homeless in the U.S., which he called a “national shame,” adding that he, too, was homeless for about two-and-a-half years. Herrick said Americans need to find ways to help those veterans. “It is the right thing,” he said. “If you enjoy your freedom, thank the commitment of your veterans.” Members of the VFW and the American Legion took part in the Honor Guard. Post 771 Commander Bill Mattoon and veterans Gerry Patch and Elmer Kruse also gave a Salute to Departed Comrades. Members of the Civil Air Patrol also assisted in the ceremony.