 Veteran Spotlight: Seaman Nichols Witness to HistoryNichols was on duty on Sept. 2, 1945, and about 100 feet from the signing of the Japanese surrender document on the Missouri.  Veterans Day Observed in Berkshire CountyBrehio said it takes a special kind of person to enter the service and to recite the 72 words of the oath pledging their commitment to defend the nation against enemies domestic and foreign.  Soldier On Permanent Women Veterans Housing to Open This WinterSoldier On knows the importance of having a home and with the near completion of the village for women veterans this sentiment will be accessible to all who have served in the military, not just the men.  New Veterans Assisted Living Facility Dedicated in PittsfieldThe facility is dedicated to Roman Sadlowski of Pittsfield. A petty officer in the Navy, he was stationed aboard the USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941, and perished in the Pearl Harbor attacks.  Bilingual Veterans Outreach Center Opens in PittsfieldA small veterans outreach center took barely five months to outgrow its space — a strong indication that there's an unmet need in the county.  Pittsfield Ceremony Honors Vietnam VeteransShe was just a young child but Mayor Linda Tyer remembers watching soldiers returning from the Vietnam War on television. Her mother had a silver bracelet etched with the name of Francis Edward Visconti, a soldier from Syracuse, N.Y. that was serving overseas. Such bracelets featuring the names of soldiers were worn by women back home and wasn't supposed to be taken off until the soldier returned.  New Veterans Outreach Office Opens in PittsfieldMichael King knows firsthand that it can get tricky navigating veterans benefits programs and he's ready to help out any veteran who needs it. "Every issue, generally speaking, has a different process to follow," King said.  Habitat Makes Urgent Repairs to Pittsfield HomeBritton Street resident John Carey said what happened to his home is "the American way." The elderly veteran is living in the home his grandfather had built. But, it was getting old and falling into disrepair and Carey simply couldn't come up with what was needed to make those fixes.  Hundreds Turn Out for North Adams Wreath-Laying MemorialThey spread out over the city's cemeteries on Saturday, more than 200 volunteers seeking out names and placing wreaths. It was part of the National Wreaths Across America Day, what is becoming an annual event to remember those who served in the nation's military. More than 3,000 wreaths were placed on graves at Southview, Hill Side, Blackinton and St. Joseph's cemeteries.  Christmas Comes Early at North Adams Veterans OfficeLined up in ranks across tables and the floor were shopping bags, wrapped gifts, cards and sports bags filled with necessities were ready for pickup on Friday morning at the North Adams Veterans Office.  Hoosac Valley Athletes Paint Wall of RecognitionThe Student-Athlete Leadership Council have honored local veterans with a mural at Hoosac Valley High School.  North Adams Elks Donation Helps Veterans Wreath EffortAmong the donations has been $2,000 total through the local Elks Lodge, which has made a point of supporting veterans and other community efforts.  North Adams Group Short 500 Wreaths for Veterans CeremonySouthview Cemetery alone has 2,867 at last count. So, the group's changed tactics to focus on Southview alone but it's still come up about 500 wreaths short.  Adams Great War Veteran Made Sure Others Not ForgottenLike many in Adams, Carpenter was a young mill worker in the Renfrew Mills before being deployed on July 1917. After training, the group landed in France in October where the war was well underway.  Clarksburg Board-Gaming Event to Benefit Soldier OnThe second annual "Soldiers, Dice, & Dragon" event hopes to match or succeed last year's benefit for homeless veterans that netted $2,500.  Operation Christmas Soliciting Donations for North County VeteransThe drive started by veterans office assistant Tina Samson two years ago expects to provide gift bags to close to 200 veterans, widows and families this season.  Clarksburg VFW Unveils New Sign, Name for Town FieldTown meeting voted to rename the field last December to memorialize Cook and the town's veterans and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, also named after Cook, raised the funds to install the sign.  North Adams Adopts Senior, Veteran Property Tax ProgramsThe council adopted the provisions of state laws for programs in which those age 60 or older can receive abates of up to $1,500 and veterans can receive abatements of up to $1,000 for their volunteer services. The roll-call votes were 8-1 on both orders.  Veterans War Memorial Tower Rededicated as National MonumentIn the 100th years since World War 1 came to an end, state officials and veterans groups have rededicated the War Memorial Tower. The Veterans War Memorial Tower is now designated as a national monument by the U.S. World War 1 Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library.  Volunteers Raising Funds for Wreaths on North Adams Veterans GravesMaloney said the mission was to place a wreath on the graves of approximately 2,500 veterans in the city cemeteries of Hill Side, Southview and Blackinton, and in St. Joseph's Cemetery.  North Adams Elks, Veterans Office Host Picnic for VeteransBut the attendees were also taking away more than just food and conversation. This first annual picnic was offering a "goodie bag" of wellness supplies and a gift certificate for each veteran who attended.  VA Hosting Agent Orange Town Hall in PittsfieldThe meeting will be held noon to 3 p.m. at Reid Middle School, 950 North St. The conversation is part of an ongoing series conducted by the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in its service areas.  North Adams Veterans Services Now Offering City Hall Food PantryThat is why it has been a blessing for the office to be able to expand its cache of free items for the 180 to 200 veterans it now serves monthly, including a new endeavor of providing a food pantry led by donations from Big Y supermarkets in North Adams and Pittsfield. |
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