Veterans tribute tour

From Mass Appeal: Veterans tribute tour
CHICOPEE, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - A group of Northampton Veterans are spearheading an effort to send Northampton's sons and daughters of World War II and Korea to Washington, D.C. in October.

Mr. Tom Pease, a Vietnam Veteran, who is planning the trip -- called the Tribute Tour -- and Brad LeVay, a Marine Corps Veteran from the Korean War, who is going on the trip.

Tell us about the Tribute Tour?

The Tribute Tour is scheduled for Oct. 3 to 6. It will be a significant remembrance for 26 veterans - all of whom entered the U.S. Armed Forces with Northampton as their home of record.

Of the 26, eight are World War II veterans and 18 are Korean War veterans.

The four days will include a day at the National Mall visiting the National World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and other memorials and a day at Arlington National Cemetery.

We may also visit the Pentagon and meet with members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation.

To make donations to the Tribute Tour, contact the Veterans Council in Memorial Hall, 240 Main St., Room 4, Northampton, or call Norbert Rieke, secretary of the council, at 587-1299.

Why is this Tribute important?

This our community's way of paying a tribute to those who gave so much—a memorable visit of remembrance and honor.

For many of these vets, this could really be their last big trip.

I think it goes without saying that it was World War II that truly threatened our very existence as a nation and our Korean War Veterans endured significant and great hardships.

The Veterans we are sponsoring are the Northampton survivors. We want to make sure we honor them with this tribute tour.

How did this idea start?

I was at the kitchen table reading the newspaper one morning in March when I noticed on the obituary page the names of three local World War II veterans - all in their 80s or 90s.

It was at that moment that I thought to myself we have to do something to honor a generation of Americans who, by last statistical count, are dying at a rate of 1,000 a day.

We can't stop death - that's inevitable. But we can honor our veterans who are still alive.
What kind of support have you received?

The members of the Veterans Council of Northampton -- which represents all the veteran organizations in Northampton -- are strongly behind the effort.

Northampton is a great community. The City Council are supporting us 100 percent. And, we've talked to businesses and private individuals and we've received great response. The city is emphatic about honoring its hometown Veterans.

We just had a spaghetti dinner at the Elks Lodge in Florence and raised a good amount, and the Elks helped out considerably with donating their lodge and all the food for us -- it was quite a turnout.

But we need more: We need at least $22,000 to cover all expenses - the bus trip to and from Washington and four nights in a hotel for the veterans and their spouses or caregivers.

How important is this trip for you, Brad?

I have not had the opportunity to visit the Korean War Memorial so this will be a very special occasion for me personally and for all our Veterans.

I'm not sure how I will react -- it will be a very emotional experience and I also think it will be an affirmation for me that our community and our Nation still remembers us Veterans -- what we endured...what we sacrificed...

I expect it will be a very proud moment for all of us Veterans. It will be an opportunity for us to pay our respects to the men and women we served with who are now memorialized in Washington.

It certainly does say a lot about Northampton and your fellow Veterans of Vietnam and other generations to be sending you and your fellow Korean and World War II comrades on such a visit, doesn't it?

It certainly will be an opportunity of a life time.

The outpouring of support has been huge and none of this would have been possible without the support of Tom and all the Veterans on the Veterans Council. It is very much appreciated...and very heartfelt.