WILBRAHAM – The picnic that was hosted at Spec Pond Pavillion in Wilbraham on Oct. 5 was much like any other – families gathered around picnic tables, enjoying food with the sounds of children playing and music from a local radio station. But the second annual Veteran’s Picnic in the Park had a more important purpose than the mere enjoyment of a sunny fall day.

“We saw a need for doing a family-friendly outreach program that focused on the whole family,” John Paradis said of why veterans service officers from around Western Massachusetts put on the picnic. Paradis, a member of the planning committee for the Veterans Picnic in the Park, said, “We got to make sure that we’re doing outreach to the families, as well.”

The picnic was a combination of celebration, memorial, and a way to gather veteran support resources all in one location.

“One of the reasons we do events like this is so our veterans can get the services they have earned,” said Jered Sasen, director of Veterans Services for Wilbraham. Tables were set up for several veteran’s organizations including the National Guard Family Program, Soldier On, Joined Forces, The Warriors Art Room, And VA Health Care.

The US Department of Veterans Affairs had a mobile “Vet Center” set up with information regarding readjustment services for returning veterans.

 “Take the opportunity to visit the more than 30 vendors who are here to have your questions answered,” John Paradis urged the veterans and their families who had gathered for the event.

Susan Bunnell, chair of the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen, spoke about the role of government in delivering veteran services.

 “Don’t hesitate to reach out to make sure you're receiving the services where you need them in your home,” Bunnell told the veterans in the crowd. She noted that she is the great-granddaughter of a Civil War veteran, the daughter of a World War II veteran and the sister of a Vietnam vet.

Sasen held a moment of silence honoring Chicopee resident Master Sgt. Luis DeLeon-Figueroa, a green beret who was killed in action in Afghanistan on Aug. 21, and the seven people who died in the crash of a vintage B-17 fighter plane at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT., on Oct. 3.

 “It’s very nice that they’re paying tribute to the ones that died and the vets that are still living,” said Charlie Thomas, an army engineer who served from 1968 to 1969. He spoke about how veterans are still dying 44 years after the end of the Vietnam War due to the effects of Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant that was used in the war.

Veterans and Athletes United, a non-profit that’s mission is to “empower wounded, injured and ill veterans to fully live their lives and honor our fallen military heroes,” displayed the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the picnic. Designed to resemble the American flag when folded on a casket, the Fallen Heroes Memorial consists of 7,000 dog tags engraved with names of fallen service members from the Global War on Terror.

The picnic opened with the national anthem, sung by Minnechaug Regional High School student Madison McGrath, while an honor guard from the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented the country’s colors.

The Massachusetts State Police had a helicopter on-site and there were two large army transport vehicles, all of which were open for the public to get a closer look.

Music was provided at the event by 97.7 FM and by Noah Lis and Biff Gore, both of whom were finalists on the reality show The Voice.

A menu of hotdogs and hamburgers was supplied and served by Building Bridges and there was free Friendly’s ice cream for dessert.

There was also plenty of entertainment for children. A kid’s fishing derby was held beginning at 10 a.m. and a Kid’s Zone area was set up, complete with a bounce house, and sponsored by Columbia Gas.

Paradis said the plan for the future is for the picnic to travel to different parks throughout the Pioneer Valley each year.