PreviousNext

Vietnam Veterans Honored in Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Around 100 people stood at Park Square on Saturday morning to honor the 27 Berkshire County residents who were killed in action in Vietnam.

The annual ceremony recognizes National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which is on March 29, and is sponsored by the James E. Callahan Berkshire Chapter 65 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, American Legion Post 68, and VFW Post 448.

Emcee John Harding, who is a Marine Corps veteran, thanked the attendees for showing up on the frigid day that saw snow flurries.

"We were worried about it anybody would show up but you showed your true colors when you support us Vietnam vets," he said.

Local veterans have been holding the ceremony for close to 50 years. Wreaths were placed on the Vietnam War Veterans memorial coalition members and representatives.

Guests included the Dalton American Legion Riders Post 155, Dalton American Legion Post 155 Honor Guard, VVA Chapter 65, Color Guards from the VVA Chapter 65, Marine Corps League Det. 137, VFW Post 448, A.L. Post 68, Jewish War Veterans Post 140, Italian War Veterans Post 75, and representatives from other organizations.

The national anthem was sung by veteran Mike Bradley, the volley was conducted by the Dalton A.L. Post 155 Honor Guard, taps were played by Vietnam veteran Joseph DiFilippo, and the benediction was provided by the Rev. Michael Denton of South Congregational Church in Pittsfield.

Attendees were invited to light a candle at a memorial shrine in the church after the ceremony.

The 27 Berkshire County residents who were killed in action during the Vietnam War:

* James Henneberry
* George Shufelt
* Francis Bissaillon
* David Borey
* Edward Jarvis
* John Pratt
* Kevin Aldam
* Russell Roulier

BRTA Celebrates 50 Years, Electric Buses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:29AM / Tuesday, April 30, 2024

State Sen. Paul Mark tries out the seating in a new hybrid bus. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority is celebrating its 50th anniversary with new hybrid buses that tell a story about its history.

The BRTA was awarded five eco-friendly buses in the past two years as part of President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law under the Federal Transit Administration's Low or No Grant Program.  Each is valued at about $800,000 and is decorated to represent different BRTA eras.

"It's not for us, it's for our customers," Administrator Robert Malnati said. "It's the reason we're here. We're here to make sure that our customers can go where they need to go when they need to get there in a safe and efficient manner."

Three of the buses have been on the road for about a month and the rest are expected this year.  Paying homage to the BRTA's decades of service to the county, they are wrapped in retro graphic designs that call back to its buses in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

Local and state officials marked the occasion with a ribbon cutting on Monday, highlighting the importance of public transportation and embracing greener technologies to move people around.

The BRTA is looking at hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for the future, which are powered by pure hydrogen gas and emit water vapor.

"As you move forward in upgrading your bus fleet, you are truly transforming our transformation system while protecting our air, our water, and our shared future," Federal Transit Administration Region 1 Administrator Peter Butler said, explaining that it is the FTA's job to support that innovation.

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier said Berkshire County is no different than the rest of state RTAs when it comes to the challenge of securing funding but it does have greater geographical challenges.