WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- Chicopee celebrates groundbreaking for a memorial park
On Sat, Feb 11 Chicopee Mayor John L. Vieau presided over a groundbreaking for the City's 31st and newest park - the Western Massachusetts Post 9/11 & Service Dog Memorial Park.
More than 200 residents, veterans, service members, canines, and state and local elected officials attended the ceremony at 1974 Westover Road. Representing the Patriot Wing were Lt. Col. Javier Rodriguez, 439th Mission Support Group interim commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Ryan Hellyar, 439th Airlift Wing interim command chief.
In addition to those given by Mayor Vieau, remarks were provided by Stephanie Shaw, Chicopee Department of Veteran's Service director, John Velis, Massachusetts state senator, and U.S. Army veteran, and Shirley Arriaga, Massachusetts state representative, and Patriot Wing alumna.
The park is expected to be under construction through late 2023. For project details and park plans, please follow this link https://www.chicopeema.gov/895/Post-911-Service-Dog-Memorial
#servicedogs City of Chicopee #reserveresilient #westover @Shirley for Chicopee @Senator John Velis