PICNIC IN THE PARK – Western Mass Veterans Association will hold its second annual picnic in support of military members, veterans and their family members on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Spec Pond Recreation Area off Boston Road in Wilbraham. Musicians Biff Gore and Noah Lis, both contestants on season 6 of NBC’s “The Voice,” will headline.
To help sponsor Veterans Picnic in the Park, to volunteer, or for more information, contact Alicia Smith at 525-5436, extension 1406. Sponsorship and volunteer registration information can be found on the Picnic in the Park web site vetspip.org.
IWO JIMA REUNION – The last reunion for the USS Iwo Jima (LPH2/LHD7) includes all ships company and embarked Navy and Marine Corps personnel. It will be held at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 2 to 5. Please contact Robert G. McAnally at 152 Frissell St., Hampton, VA 23663, or call (757) 723-0317, or email yujack46709@gmail.com. Visit ussiwojimashipmates.cfns.net for more information.
Following is a list of local veterans whose obituaries appeared in the Gazette between Aug. 23 and Sept. 5. The information here is what was provided in each obituary.
Richard Irvin Bombard, 85, Layton, Utah, formerly Northampton, d. July 31; he joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a drill instructor.
Fabian J. Korza, 98, Easthampton, d. Aug. 12; he proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Navy.
Richard “Dickie” Strycharz Sr., 74, Sunderland, d. Aug. 23; he served his country with the U.S. Army as a SP5 at Ft. Lee, Virginia, from 1964 to 1966. He was an electronics technician.
Donald R. Warburton, 86, Florence, d. Aug. 21; he served in the United States Navy during the Korean War.
Wilbur W. Loomis, 84, Williamsburg, d. Aug. 20; he joined the Naval Reserves in August, 1952, served in the Construction Battalion and was discharge in August, 1960.
Joseph Grygorcewicz, 57, Westhampton, d. Aug. 20; he served in the United States Marine Corps.
James H. McGill, Westhampton, d. Aug. 23; in 1948, at the age of 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and traveled throughout the world, receiving an honorable discharge.
John T. “Jack” Conlon, 95, Amherst, d. Aug. 28; he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, graduating from cryptography school in 1943. He was assigned as cryptographer/squadron operations, 92nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force at B-17 airbases in Podington, England, and Istres, France, until 1945. Among his decorations were the European Theater of Operations Campaign Ribbon with six Battle Stars, and the Croix de Guerre for combat heroism.
Richard Alfred Fish, 74, Enfield, Connecticut, d. Aug. 28; he served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Jeffrey Davis Ferguson, 71, Amherst, d. Sept. 1; he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country overseas, stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
Veterans Voice appears twice each month. Send submissions to Veterans Voice, c/o Brenda Nelson, Daily Hampshire Gazette, Box 299, Northampton, MA 01061; or email bnelson@gazettenet.com.
Gloss