Veterans Day 5K returns with greater local focus

Oct. 20, 2016 | Chris Goudreau
cgoudreau@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW – A local 5K race will help raise funds to support veterans on Nov. 12. The Longmeadow Veterans Day 5K run and walk would support organizations such as Homeward Vets, the Holyoke Soldiers Home, and the Knights of Heroes.

Veterans Service Officer Jesus Pereira told Reminder Publications the town hosted a Wounded Warrior 5K race in the past, but this year organizers decided to do something different.

“We wanted to take a look at continuing the mission of supporting our veterans,” he noted. “Even though we’re changing the name, we’re going to continue our mission to move forward and help out the veterans organizations. Most of them are nearby.”

Homeward Vets, a local organization that collects and donates furniture to veterans who are transitioning from being homeless, benefited from funds in past races, he added.

“We have the Holyoke Soldiers Home – their recreation fund is what we’re going to go ahead and donate to,” Pereira said.

The Knights of Heroes is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that sets up summer camps for children who lost their fathers in the service, he noted.  

Last year, the event raised $3,600 for Homeward Vets and the same amount for Honor Flight New England, Pereira said. About $1,000 was given to the Wounded Warrior Project.

“The choice to move over from the Wounded Warrior Project was sort of driven by trying to keep money somewhat local,” he explained. “And Wounded Warrior Project is a post 9/11 organization. They help veterans who have served after 9/11. We kind of want to throw money back at Vietnam era guys – guys in the Holyoke Soldiers home; they’re not post 9/11, but they still need our services [and] our help.”

Next year, three new nonprofit organizations would be chosen, he noted.

Pereira said the race is set to begin at 11 a.m. with a Veterans Day presentation taking place an hour prior. Registration begins at 9 a.m. that day. Pre-registration is also available

The event is hosted by Fleet Feet Sports in the Longmeadow Shops, he added. Packets for the event are available at the store on Thursday and Friday and also during registration the day of the race.

The race consists of an upside down rifle-shaped route 3.1 miles long beginning at 231 Maple Road, he added.

To preregister for the event visit www.fitvil.com/group/1876-longmeadow/

Another event, “Veterans Day Town Hall,” is set to take place on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. and would include a forum for veterans to speak about their experiences, Pereira said. The event is being organized by a resident who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The ground rules are simple,” he added. “A veteran comes in and speaks. They get 10 minutes to talk about whatever they want to talk about. It’s not a political event … It’s about the veterans. So far we have about 19 people signed up for that, but I would like to see a lot more.”

Periera said he believes Veterans Day is the perfect holiday to “take a minute and listen to what people have to say.”

He added, “That’s what this town hall is all about. It’s not a discussion with two or three people. It’s storytelling. You get 10 minutes to tell us about what it was like to be wherever you were or the experiences you had or whatever’s on your mind. No judgment.”

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