BCC Jazz Ensemble Presents Free Concert

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Community College (BCC) Jazz, under the direction of BCC music instructor Jeffrey Link, presents its semester-end spring concert on Tuesday, May 14 at 2 pm in Room K-111 of the Koussevitzky Arts Center. 
 
The event is free and open to the public. 
 
The ensemble consists of seven BCC music students and Link on piano. The artists will be performing a variety of songs, from Thelonius Monk to Elton John, and one of Link's original songs. 
 
"I'm very proud of all the work they've put in," Link said. "It's going to be a great concert!" 

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Berkshire Vietnam Veterans Receive Long-Awaited Welcome Home

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Hundreds gathered at the fence of Pittsfield Municipal Airport to give Berkshire County Vietnam veterans the warm welcome home they did not receive nearly 60 years ago.
As the sun rose high over the Berkshire Mountains, nearly a dozen veterans hopped on a small chartered jet to Washington, D.C., where they were able to visit their fallen comrades at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. 
 
The daylong trip, organized by William "Smitty" Pignatelli, former state representative, marked the first Honor Flight for veterans departing from Pittsfield Municipal Airport. 
 
"It was very emotional because we have friends on the wall that we had a chance to go back and do a little bit more closure," Air Force veteran Lenwood "Woody" Vaspra said. 
 
As the veterans returned home after the "emotional trip" they were greeted with patriotic tunes performed by Lenox High School Band, and a wave of community members, including some family members, clapping and screaming out their names. For some, the sight brought tears to their eyes. 
 
The evening ended with a moment of unity as Laurie Schiff performed "God Bless America" a cappella. Community members joined hands and added their voices to hers, bringing the homecoming ceremony to a close.
 
The day was filled with several phases of surprises, Pignatelli said, from being greeted by Congressman Richard Neal at the memorial wall to being gifted tribute bags at the welcome home ceremony. 
 
"In honor of each of these gentlemen, a U.S. flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in their honor," Pignatelli said. 
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