AGAWAM — A federal pandemic relief bill passed last year will produce a $15,000 bump in the budget of the Agawam Veterans Council, after state Sen. John Velis secured an earmark in the state’s American Rescue Plan Act spending plan.

The Veterans Council may spend much of the money on a new honor roll plaque on the Veterans Green to recognize those who have served during the war on terrorism.

“The most expensive thing we have going is the monuments,” Veterans Council Chair Aldo Mancini said at an April 6 event celebrating the state grant. “We do have some money already in there, [but] we haven’t even gotten a quote yet on what’s it going to cost, and how many names are going to go on for the war on terror. ... The number of names is going to be larger than World War II and Vietnam.”

The Veterans Green, a park next to Phelps School at the corner of Main and School streets in Agawam Center, has monuments listing all from Agawam who served in the United States’ major conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War. Those who have served in 21st century conflicts, such as the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, are not yet represented.

Chris Lanski, the town’s veterans services officer, said it might make sense to cast the plaque once the president declares an end to the war on terrorism, the military effort started by the U.S. government in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, which encompassed the country’s military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The $15,000 grant is not tied to any particular project. Lanski said other Veterans Council expenses include installing memorial signs for Agawam service members killed in action and missing in action, attached to street signs in their home neighborhoods; restoring veterans’ headstones in town cemeteries; installing benches in memory of veterans; and more.

“There is so much we do,” said Lanski. “Thank you, John, for this money.”

Velis negotiated with his colleagues to have the Agawam grant included in the statewide spending bill. He said he believes strongly in advocating for the 11 cities and towns in his district, and bringing back as much state aid as possible.

For more information on the Veterans Council, call 786-0400, ext. 8222. The council meets on the first Wednesday of every month.