A Veteran’s Story
The tragic events of September 11th, 2001 inspired veteran and Purple Heart recipient Kyle Toto to join the military, where he served overseas in Afghanistan. Carolee McGrath sat down with Mr. Toto to talk about his service and how he’s able to help fellow servicemen and women through his current work with the VA.
A Look Back at Pearl Harbor with Veteran Ed Burocki
Edward F. Borucki, one of the region’s last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, passed away last month at the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke. Borucki was assigned to the light cruiser USS Helena on Dec. 7, 1941, in Pearl Harbor, HI. He had just left the forward engine room when the first torpedo attack hit. He helped survivors until the ship was ordered back to California for repairs. The Holyoke native was an outspoken veteran and ardent in his efforts to see that those who lost their lives during the “date which will live in infamy” never be forgotten. Borucki was 94.
Helping Our Vets
Holyoke Community College, in collaboration with the Springfield Vet Center, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, is launching a series of free classes this fall specifically for veterans. Called “Vet2Vet,” the 10 FREE single-session classes are designed to support, inform, educate and facilitate networking of veterans for personal and professional growth. As the name suggests, the courses will be taught by veterans of the U.S. military and are only open to veterans, with the exception of one for families. Connecting Points Carolee McGrath sat down with a Vet 2 Vet instructor and student to learn more.
Bennington Battle Monument
On August 17, 1777, Brigadier General John Stark and his men defeated General Burgoyne‘s British army in what became known as the Battle of Bennington, a key turning point in the American Revolutionary War. While the battle took place in New York State, just over the border in Bennington, VT, a monument was erected in 1889 to commemorate this often overlooked battle at the birth of our nation.
