TR-2015-34 PURPLE HEART TRAIL rp I e-
i
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TR-2015-34
A RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM MAIN STREET A PURPLE HEART TRAIL
(Sponsored by Richard A. Cohen)
WHEREAS, The Military Order of The Purple Heart W. Mass 875 has requested
that Main Street, Agawam, Massachusetts be designated part of the Purple Heart
Trail; and
WHEREAS, there is no cost to the Town of Agawam; and
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration in present
use and was created as The Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782 in
Newburgh, New York by General George Washington; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart for their ultimate sacrifice of being killed in action while engaged in
combat; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been awarded the Purple Heart for
their bodily sacrifice of being wounded in action while engaged in combat; and
WHEREAS, the heritage it represents is sacred to those who know the high price
paid to wear the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Agawam had named Main Street the "George
Washington Memorial Highway" in 1932 in honor of the centennial birth of George
Washington and dedicated the George Washington Monument at Main and
Federal Street; and
WHEREAS, George Washington twice traveled Main Street in Agawam enroute to
Boston, first as General and Commander-In-Chief and later as our First President
of the United States; and
WHEREAS,the Town of Agawam's Veterans Green, a place where citizens gather
to honor our Veterans of all wars, is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, at the Fire Department Headquarters on Main Street, the Town of
Agawam honors all those who lost their lives during the 9/11/2001 Terrorist
Attacks; and
WHEREAS, the Agawam Senior Center, the daily respite of many of Agawam's
most senior veterans is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery at Agawam, a
place where the price of freedom is visible to all who pass here, is located on Main
St; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and
honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that give
tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal;
and
NOW THEREFORE, the Agawam City Council hereby resolves The Town
of Agawam, Massachusetts takes pleasure its proclaiming all of Main Street in
Agawam be a recognized roadway of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the
USA, "Purple Heart Trail" system and through the use of appropriate signage, to
be privately sponsored, will serve the goal of establishing a visual reminder to
those who use the roadway that others have paid the high price for their freedom
to travel and live in a free society.
DATED THISAAY OF `!J 2015.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
ChristopherT hnson, President
A ROVED 0 FORM AND LEGALITY
4.
Vincent F. ' scia, Solicitor
CZ _ Co
CC-
CC- 1[t�tx'�c.rl�
MAYORAL ACTION
Received this 144h day of J-a 2015 from Council Clerk.
Signed by Council President this day of jUrUL 2015.
APPROVAL OF LEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the AgawamCharter,as
am &d,I hereby approve the passage of the above legislation on this day of
kJ IkN9- 2015.
Richard A. Cohen, Mayor
DISAPPROVAL OF LEGISLATION
By the powers vested in me pursuant to Article 3, Section 3-6 of the Agawam Charter, as
amended,I hereby veto the passage of the above legislation on this day of
,2015 for the following reason(s):
Richard A. Cohen,Mayor
REJVRN OF LEGISLATION TO COUNCIL CLERK
Returned to Council Clerk this 14" day of 7ur4- ,2015.
• TR-2015-34
A RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM MAIN STREET A PURPLE HEART TRAIL
(Sponsored by Richard A. Cohen)
WHEREAS, The Military Order of The Purple Heart W. Mass 875 has requested
that Main Street, Agawam, Massachusetts be designated part of the Purple Heart
Trail; and
WHEREAS, there is no cost to the Town of Agawam; and
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration in present
use and was created as The Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782 in
Newburgh, New York by General George Washington; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart for their ultimate sacrifice of being killed in action while engaged in
combat; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been awarded the Purple Heart for
their bodily sacrifice of being wounded in action while engaged in combat; and
WHEREAS, the heritage it represents is sacred to those who know the high price
paid to wear the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Agawam had named Main Street the "George
Washington Memorial Highway" in 1932 in honor of the centennial birth of George
Washington and dedicated the George Washington Monument at Main and
Federal Street; and
WHEREAS, George Washington twice traveled Main Street in Agawam enroute to
Boston, first as General and Commander-In-Chief and later as our First President
of the United States; and
WHEREAS,the Town of Agawam's Veterans Green, a place where citizens gather
to honor our Veterans of all wars, is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, at the Fire Department Headquarters on Main Street, the Town of
Agawam honors all those who lost their lives during the 9/11/2001 Terrorist
Attacks; and
WHEREAS, the Agawam Senior Center, the daily respite of many of Agawam's
most senior veterans is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery at Agawam, a
place where the price of freedom is visible to all who pass here, is located on Main
St; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and
honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that give
tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal;
and
NOW THEREFORE, the Agawam City Council hereby resolves The Town
of Agawam, Massachusetts takes pleasure in proclaiming all of Main Street in
Agawam be a recognized roadway of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the
USA, "Purple Heart Trail" system and through the use of appropriate signage, to
be privately sponsored, will serve the goal of establishing a visual reminder to
those who use the roadway that others have paid the high price for their freedom
to travel and live in a free society.
DATED THIS . DAY OF , 2015.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL.
Christopher C. Lhnson, President
APPROVED AM AND LEGALITY
T
Vincenf F.Ugscia, Solicitor
°Ep P`qA
Military Order of The Purple Heart
A W.Mass 876
�FrNE US'+ TOWN OF AGAWAM
PROCLAMATION
PURPLE HEART TRAIL
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration in present use and was
created as The Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782 in Newburgh, New York by General
George Washington; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for
their ultimate sacrifice of being killed in action while engaged in combat; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been awarded the Purple Heart for their bodily
sacrifice of being wounded in action while engaged in combat; and
WHEREAS, the heritage it represents is sacred to those who know the high price paid to wear
the Purple Heart;and
WHEREAS, the Town of Agawam had named Main Street the "George Washington Memorial
Highway" in 1932 in honor of the centennial birth of George Washington and dedicated the
George Washington Monument at Main and Federal Street; and
WHEREAS, George Washington twice traveled Main Street in Agawam enroute to Boston, first
as General and Commander-In-Chief and later as our First President of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Agawam's Veterans Green, a place where citizens gather to honor our
Veterans of all wars, is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, at the Fire Department Headquarters on Main Street, the Town of Agawam honors
all those who lost their lives during the 9/11/2001 Terrorist Attacks; and
WHEREAS, the Agawam Senior Center, the daily respite of many of Agawam's
most senior veterans is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery at Agawam, a place where the
price of freedom is visible to all who pass here, is located on Main St; and
WHEREAS,The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and honorary system of
roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that give tribute to the men and women who
have been awarded the Purple Heart medal; and
THEREFORE,The Town of Agawam, Massachusetts takes pleasure in proclaiming all of Main
Street in Agawam be a recognized roadway of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the
USA, "Purple Heart Trail" system and through the use of appropriate signage, to be privately
sponsored, will serve the goal of establishing a visual reminder to those who use the roadway
that others have paid the high price for their freedom to travel and live in a free society.
PpT.R00 Military Order of the Purple Heart
W. Mass 875
tg 174 Brainerd Street
3 South Hadley, MA 01075
d� Peti NE u (413) 262-1031
SIGN ORDER FORM
CIRCLE ONE: PURPLE HEART CITY/TOWN* or PURPLE HEARTTRAIL
*TOWN / CITY:
Organization / Person Ordering Info
Name:
Email:
Phone:
COST: $100 per sign
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: "MOPH W:Mass 875"
DATE PAID: Check# Cash:
YOUR
INFO
HERE
30
REQUESTED SIGN DETAIL/ INFO BELOW (35 Character Limit)
All requests must be approved by MOPH 875- Not authorized to appear on the sign:
Businesses, Corporations, For-Profits, Individual Names of those who have not received the
Purple Heart Medal. Suggested Alternative: Those listed above may sponsor a sign in Memory of
a Service Member who was killed or wounded in oction.
•Vince-Gioscia
From: Mayor Richard Cohen
Sent: Thursday,June 11, 2015 7:17 AM
To: Nadine Porfifio; Vince Gioscia _
Subject: Fwd: AGAWAM REVISED
Sent from my iPad
Begin forwarded message:
From: Brian Willette <ssgbrian.willette@gmail.com>
Date: June 10, 2015 at 9:47:42 PM EDT
To: Mayor Richard Cohen <mayor@agawam.ma.us>
Subject: Re: FW: AGAWAM REVISED
Hi Mr Mayor,
I do have a few answers for you, and they should smooth this over just fine. Holyoke had the
same concerns, First, this is an "honorary" designation. No need to change names, or in any way
officially change anything regarding the street's official status. This is simply a gesture by the
community to honor those through the National Purple Heart Trail system, who have made both
the supreme sacrifice and those who have made the bodily sacrifice and received the Purple
Heart.The "trail" is only recognized by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a Veterans
organization who's membership is comprised of Purple Heart recipients. No "official" or
governmental designation is actually made.
The signs will be paid through "sponsorship's" by Veteran and civic organizations as well as
individuals wishing to honor an Agawam resident who was killed or wounded in battle. The
name of the Veteran organization or resident killed or wounded in action will appear on the sign
abd this will drive sponsorship. This is exactly what we are doing in Holyoke right now.
Currently we are seeking sponsors for the PH Trial being dedicated Aug 2.
I am attached a few item. One is a NEW proclamation which I have changed the wording on the
signs to be "privately sponsored". This will insure that when the proclamation is passed,
Agawam (The Town) or any other governmental organization IS NOT responsible to buy signs.
Let me, Gary and Aldo get the signs...lol. We will ask (very nicely) that the Town DPW assist is
placing the signs. Signs can be placed on existing poles... No new posts will be needed, and if it
is desired, the Town will still not be responsible. It can all be done by request and donations from
Vets groups (if needed). Attachments via email to follow, Click link below for Holyoke story
this past week,
httu://v^ w.mass1ive.com/news/index.ssf/201„5/06/holyoke purple heart_trail_sig.;htm]
Thanks, Brian
On Wed, Jun 10, 2015 at 11:21 AM, Mayor Richard Cohen <mayor e,agawam.ma.us> wrote:
i
TR-2015-34
A RESOLUTION TO PROCLAIM MAIN STREET A PURPLE HEART TRAIL
(Sponsored by Richard A. Cohen)
WHEREAS, The Military Order of The Purple Heart W. Mass 875 has requested
that Main Street, Agawam, Massachusetts be designated part of the Purple Heart
Trail; and
WHEREAS, there is no cost to the Town of Agawam; and
WHEREAS, the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration in present
use and was created as The Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782 in
Newburgh, New York by General George Washington; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart for their ultimate sacrifice of being killed in action while engaged in
combat; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been awarded the Purple Heart for
their bodily sacrifice of being wounded in action while engaged in combat; and
WHEREAS, the heritage it represents is sacred to those who know the high price
paid to wear the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Agawam had named Main Street the "George
Washington Memorial Highway" in 1932 in honor of the centennial birth of George
Washington and dedicated the George Washington Monument at Main and
Federal Street; and
WHEREAS, George Washington twice traveled Main Street in Agawam enroute to
Boston, first as General and Commander-In-Chief and later as our First President
of the United States; and
WHEREAS,the Town of Agawam's Veterans Green, a place where citizens gather
to honor our Veterans of all wars, is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, at the Fire Department Headquarters on Main Street, the Town of
Agawam honors all those who lost their lives during the 9/11/2001 Terrorist
Attacks; and
WHEREAS, the Agawam Senior Center, the daily respite of many of Agawam's
most senior veterans is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery at Agawam, a
place where the price of freedom is visible to all who pass here, is located on Main
St; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and
honorary system of roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that give
tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal;
and
NOW THEREFORE, the Agawam City Council hereby resolves The Town
of Agawam, Massachusetts takes pleasure in proclaiming all of Main Street in
Agawam be a recognized roadway of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the
USA, "Purple Heart Trail" system and through the use of appropriate signage, to
be privately sponsored, will serve the goal of establishing a visual reminder to
those who use the roadway that others have paid the high price for their freedom
to travel and live in a free society.
DATED THIS DAY OF , 2015.
PER ORDER OF THE AGAWAM CITY COUNCIL
Christopher C. hnson, President
AP ROVED O FORM AND LEGALITY
t �
1
r
Vincent FNWscla, Solicitor
gyp`` Military Order of The Purple Heart
W.Mass 875
°`nzu+r TOWN OF AGAWAM
PROCLAMATION
PURPLE HEART TRAIL
WHEREAS,the Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration in present use and was
created as The Badge of Military Merit on August 7, 1782 in Newburgh, New York by General
George Washington; and
WHEREAS, citizens of our community have been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for
their ultimate sacrifice of being killed in action while engaged in combat; and
WHEREAS,citizens of our community have been awarded the Purple Heart for their bodily
sacrifice of being wounded in action while engaged in combat; and
WHEREAS,the heritage it represents is sacred to those who know the high price paid to wear
the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS,the Town of Agawam had named Main Street the "George Washington Memorial
Highway" in 1932 in honor of the centennial birth of George Washington and dedicated the
George Washington Monument at Main and Federal Street; and
WHEREAS, George Washington twice traveled Main Street in Agawam enroute to Boston, first
as General and Commander-in-Chief and later as our First President of the United States; and
WHEREAS,the Town of Agawam's Veterans Green, a place where citizens gather to honor our
Veterans of all wars, is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS, at the Fire Department Headquarters on Main Street, the Town of Agawam horrors
all those who lost their lives during the 9/11/2001 Terrorist Attacks; and
WHEREAS,the Agawam Senior Center,the daily respite of many of Agawam's
most senior veterans is located on Main Street; and
WHEREAS,The Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery at Agawam, a place where the
price of freedom is visible to all who pass here, is located on Main St; and
WHEREAS,The purpose of the Purple Heart Trail is to create a symbolic and honorary system of
roads, highways, bridges, and other monuments that give tribute to the men and women who
have been awarded the Purple Heart medal; and
THEREFORE,The Town of Agawam, Massachusetts takes pleasure in proclaiming all of Main
Street in Agawam be a recognized roadway of the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the
USA, "Purple Heart Trail" system and through the use of appropriate signage, to be privately
sponsored, will serve the goal of establishing a visual reminder to those who use the roadway
that others have paid the high price for their freedom to travel and live in a free society.
A� Military Order of the Purple Heart
W. Mass 875
174 Brainerd Street
C South Hadley, MA 01075
of (413) 252-1031
'irt us'
SIGN ORDER FORM
CIRCLE ONE: PURPLE HEARTCITY/TOWN* or PURPLE HEART TRAIL
*TOWN / CITY:
Organization / Person Ordering Info
Name:
Email:
Phone:
COST: $100 per sign
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: "MOPH W.Mass 875"
DATE PAID: Check# Cash:
P IMPLE 1
YOUR
� . ► ' T
INFO
irSPRINGFIELD,
HEREC TYt
REQUESTED SIGN DETAIL/ INFO BELOW (35 Character Limit)
All requests must be approved by MOPH 875- Not authorized to appear on the sign:
Businesses, Corporations, For-Profits, Individual Names of those who have not received the
Purple Heart Medal. Suggested Alternative: Those listed above may sponsor a sign in Memory of
a Service Member who was killed or wounded in action.
Vince Gioscia
From: Mayor Richard Cohen
Sent: Thursday,June 11, 2015 7:17 AM
To: Nadine Porfilio;Vince Gioscia _
Subject: Fwd:AGAWAM REVISED U
Sent from my Tad
Begin forwarded message:
From: Brian Willette <ssgbrian.willette@gmail.com>
Date: June 10, 2015 at 9:47:42 PM EDT
To: Mayor Richard Cohen<mayor@.aeawam.ma.us>
Subject: Re: FW: AGAWAM REVISED
Hi Mr Mayor,
I do have a few answers for you, and they should smooth this over just fine. Holyoke had the
same concerns, First, this is an "honorary" designation. No need to change names, or in any way
officially change anything regarding the street's official status. This is simply a gesture by the
community to honor those through the National Purple Heart Trail system, who have made both
the supreme sacrifice and those who have made the bodily sacrifice and received the Purple
Heart.The "trail" is only recognized by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a Veterans
organization who's membership is comprised of Purple Heart recipients. No "official" or
governmental designation is actually made.
The signs will be paid through "sponsorship's" by Veteran and civic organizations as well as
individuals wishing to honor.an Agawam resident who was killed or wounded in battle. The
name of the Veteran organization or resident killed or wounded in action will appear on the sign
abd this will drive sponsorship. This is exactly what we are doing in Holyoke right now.
Currently we are seeking sponsors for the PH Trial being dedicated Aug 2.
I am attached a few item. One is a NEW proclamation which I have changed the wording on the
signs to be "privately sponsored". This will insure that when the proclamation is passed,
Agawam (The Town) or any other governmental organization IS NOT responsible to buy signs.
Let me, Gary and Aldo get the signs...lol. We will ask (very nicely) that the Town DPW assist is
placing the signs. Signs can be placed on existing poles... No new posts will be needed, and if it
is desired, the Town will still not be responsible. It can all be done by request and donations from
Vets groups (if needed). Attachments via email to follow, Click link below for Holyoke story
this past week.
h!M://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/06/holyoke 12gmle heart trail si .html
Thanks, Brian
On Wed,Jun 10, 2015 at 11:21 AM, Mayor Richard Cohen<ma or_,agawam.ma.us> wrote:
i