The Springfield ceremony was preceded by a parade that traveled from Springfield Technical Community College to Court Square.
SPRINGFIELD – The crowd that gathered at Court Square on Friday for the annual Veterans Day ceremony ranged from the World War II veteran who comes every year to the 1-year-old boy being held by his proud military dad.
Staff Sgt. Jonathan E. Turner of Springfield, who recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan, said he came with his 1-year-old, Jonathan Jr., because “I wanted to share the experience with my son.”
“I missed him,” Turner said. “He turned one while I was overseas. I want to make sure he knows what I did.”
Turner, a 15-year member of the Massachusetts National Guard, said he also attended to recognize and honor those in the military “who can’t be here and didn’t come home.”
Communities with Veterans Day ceremonies on Friday also included Holyoke, Agawam, West Springfield, Westfield, Northampton, Amherst, Palmer, Ludlow, Wilbraham and Belchertown.
The Springfield ceremony was preceded by a parade that began outside Springfield Technical Community College, traveled down State Street, and over to Court Square.
The ceremony was conducted on the steps of City Hall, and was followed by the laying of the wreath at the War Monument by: Springfield Veteran of the Year Gerald W. Dolloff; Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet who was this year’s parade marshall; and Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.
The Springfield high schools’ Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Melha Shriners were among groups that participated in the Court Square ceremony and parade, sponsored by the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee.
“I come every year to honor the guys that are fighting today,” said Thomas Cooney of East Longmeadow, a World War II veteran. “It’s important. There are dangerous areas and they are risking their lives.”
Cooney served in the U.S. Navy, and was on the destroyer, USS Rall.
Theresa Royland of Holyoke stood with her three children: Abigail, 7; Olivia, 5; and Amanda, 3.
“I came to support our military and to expose my children to them and what they do for us,” Royland said.
She said it was the family’s first time coming to the Court Square ceremony. She was moved to come after reading an article in the Sunday Parade magazine which, she said, shared that military members really appreciate being acknowledged for their service to their country.
“Being here is a way to stand with them,” Royland said.
Cara Pagnoni, 8, of East Longmeadow, said she enjoyed being with her dad, Joseph A. Pagnoni, a member of the U.S. Army since 1987 and her sister Kate, 6. His service has included deployment to Iraq and being stationed in Landstuhl, Germany.
Cara said she enjoyed the music and marching, and said Veterans Day is all about the people who serve their country.
Sarno called on returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to raise their hands, and they were applauded by the Court Square gathering, believed to number a few hundred people including participants.
“I know it’s Veterans Day but every day we should be thankful to veterans,” Sarno said.
Fitchet said the people march and pay tribute to the past veterans and their sacrifice, current veterans who continue to serve the country here and abroad, and the families of veterans and their sacrifice.
Dolloff said people cannot do enough for veterans — “the more we can do, the better.” He urged people to personally thank veterans.
Gov. Daval Patrick also honored veterans during a State House ceremony, including the presentation of an award to Smith & Wesson of Springfield, recognizing the manufacturing company’s long term commitment to support re-employment and training opportunities for Massachusetts veterans, according to a prepared release from Patrick’s office.
Smith & Wesson has hired veterans who have graduated from the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership workforce training program.