April 20, 2022

Sons lead Patriots' Day celebration in Westfield, Mass.

By The American Legion
Sons
Sons lead Patriots’ Day celebration in Westfield, Mass.
SAL Past National Commander Clifford Smith speaks during the Patriots’ Day event in Westfield, Mass., on April 18, 2022. Photo by Jeff Zaleski.

Event to commemorate 1st battles of Revolutionary War held in city for 1st time since 2018.

Members of the Sons of The American Legion led the first Patriots’ Day ceremony in Westfield, Mass., in four years on April 18, commemorating some of the first battles of the American Revolution.

Squadron 124 Commander Gene Theroux served as master of ceremonies for the event. He said it was important to remember the battles of Lexington and Concord and noted his family’s history included Medford Minutemen who responded to Lexington on April 19, 1775.

Keynote speaker Mac Mahoney, a member of Squadron 124 who will represent Massachusetts in this weekend’s American Legion National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis, spoke about Westfield native Gen. William Shepard. Shepard served in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and led the defense of the Springfield armory during Shays’ Rebellion in 1786.

Other speakers at the event in Westfield’s Parker Memorial Park included Mayor Mike McCabe and State Sen. John Velis, who thanked Theroux for bringing back the event after a four-year absence.

“I think it speaks volumes about the community, I think it speaks volumes for all the people who are here today,” Velis said.

SAL PNC Clifford Smith urged those in attendance to focus on their choice of attitude.

“Our country is great today because of the choice of attitude of all those brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms in this great country,” Smith said.

McCabe and Theroux also recognized ninth-grader Jillian Battles, who made 800 care packages for troops and veterans. “It’s the most important thing we all can do, is to appreciate our troops and veterans,” she said.

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