WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- The Patriot Wing’s newest honorary commander has known Westover all her life.
That’s because Marie Laflamme, who’s treasurer for the city of Chicopee, is a life-long resident of Westover’s neighboring city. Brig. Gen. Jay Jensen, 439th Airlift Wing commander, swore Laflamme in as part of the wing’s annual awards gala held Feb. 3 at the Westover Club.
The honorary commander program encourages the exchange of ideas, experiences, and friendships between Westover leadership and key members of the local community.
“It was overwhelming,” she said of the evening she learned of being selected. “It was emotional to be around so many military folks who deserve the awards.”
A standing ovation from the crowd humbled Laflamme. “I thought, ‘no way, it’s not me. It’s you.’ I think my speech said it all.”
A strong supporter of Westover and its Air Force mission, Laflamme has been a Galaxy Community Council member for many years. She’s assisted in planning the Great New England Air Show and Westover’s Family Day. She serves on the Board of Directors as the council’s secretary. She participates in fund-raising efforts to support the USO, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Young Marines, and Civil Air Patrol.
Laflamme is a veteran civic and business leader and volunteer in western Massachusetts. She volunteers at the Holyoke Soldiers Home and is a communicant of St. Rose De Lima Parish, also in Chicopee. Her favorite part of volunteering is working with people. “I’ve met so many friends. My goal to volunteer was to help others, but I’ve met so many friends too,” she said. “It’s all about the people.”
She’s on the board of directors for Sunshine Village and the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation.
Laflamme attended Chicopee public schools, graduating from Chicopee Comprehensive High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business at Western New England College.
As treasurer, Laflamme oversees a $180 million budget and the city’s payroll for approximately 2,500 employees. She’s served on the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and as its chairwoman.
Despite all the accolades, she prefers to sidestep the attention. She wants to help bring more public awareness to what people do at Westover while in service to their country.
“I’m the worker,” Laflamme said. “I like to wear the jeans and get the job done.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Tech. Sgt. Malcolm Tevanian contributed to this story.