ERVING — In recognition of their dedication to America, two dozen veterans are being celebrated this Veterans Day with roadside banners.
The Selectboard launched the Hometown Heroes banner recognition program in the spring, inviting military veterans or their families to apply. The program serves “to honor veterans, native of the town of Erving or who currently reside in Erving, and have been honorably discharged from the military or are currently serving,” the town website explains.
The banners, hung up around town last month, depict photographs of individual veterans and list their branch of service, years of service and the campaign they served in.
Despite just 24 banners being put on display as part of the program’s first installment, the group of service members being celebrated is diverse in experience. Those contacted by the Greenfield Recorder recounted experiences ranging from domestic peacetime service to international deployment, spanning from World War II to the war in Afghanistan.
“It’s nice to see that the people represented now are a cross-section,” said Jacquelyn Boyden, a Navy veteran who served from 1980 to 1987.
A large number of veterans celebrated through the Hometown Heroes program served in the Vietnam War, a polarizing conflict that was subject to ongoing ethics-related controversy. Some with ties to the war argued that this context makes something like the Hometown Heroes program even more touching.
Donna Bezio, whose late husband, Bruce Bezio, received three Bronze Stars and a conduct medal serving in the Army in the Vietnam War, expressed that he rarely opened himself up to recognition.
“He didn’t talk too much about things (due to) the way they were treated when they came home from Vietnam,” Bezio said, labeling the Hometown Heroes program a change of perspective.
“We had no kind of a welcome when we came home from Vietnam,” agreed Gary Betters, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War. “If you had your parents greeting you, you were lucky.”
Others voiced appreciation for how far back the Hometown Heroes program reached to honor those who served. Alan Bolduc, son of World War II Army veteran Ralph Bolduc, was touched that Erving would celebrate his father, who died in 1952.
“It was nice for the town to put that (banner) up 70 years after he passed away,” said Bolduc, who was just 2 years old when his father died less than a decade after completing his service.
During an Oct. 3 meeting, the Selectboard emphasized that while the Hometown Heroes program is a great start in appreciating those who have gone underrecognized, there is much opportunity for expansion. Town Administrator Bryan Smith, who helped organize the program, said he hopes more veterans and their families are inspired to apply for future installments after seeing the first round of banners.
“We’re hoping that this generates a little more interest,” he said.
Program participants said for now, though, it’s important to focus on the bigger picture this Veterans Day, considering how those who serve do so knowing they’re fighting for something bigger than themselves.
“We live in such a wonderful country, and sometimes, I feel like people don’t appreciate how lucky we are and what all of the servicemen and women have done to make this country free,” commented Susan Sini, whose late husband, John Sini, served in the Navy from 1960 to 1962.
“We were called, we put our life on the line and we served,” Betters summarized.
“I think that it’s important to remember Vets Day,” Boyden said, “because sometimes, when you come back, you don’t always come back whole.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.