MGM Springfield honors veterans with thousands of flags at St. Michael's Cemetery
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – MGM Springfield volunteers were at St. Michael's Cemetery in Springfield helping to prepare for Memorial Day, and now, you may notice thousands of flags in the area.
More than a dozen volunteers from MGM Springfield spent their lunch break placing flags at the graves of veterans at St. Michael's Cemetery, making sure they are honored for their sacrifice ahead of Memorial Day.
Wednesday's event is part of a city-wide effort with the Department of Veterans' Services to honor and remember those who have served our country. MGM Springfield told 22News, their staff couldn't sign up faster to be able to help with the flagging today.
Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement, Jennifer McGrath, told 22News, 'It's a very special day for our staff. We get personal stories of folks affiliated with the military and certainly with family members who have passed. Even one of our very own has a grandfather buried here, who will get a flag today. So, several of his colleagues and friends are here to support that moment.'
There are around 22,000 veteran graves located in the city of Springfield, and roughly 6,000 of those are in the St. Michael's Cemetery, and after today, they will all be marked with an American Flag.
Memorial Day is recognized this year on Monday, May 26th, honoring the courage, sacrifice, and legacy of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pittsfield seeking volunteers for Housatonic River cleanup
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) are seeking volunteers for the annual Housatonic River cleanup. Easthampton Fire Department teams with Baystate Health for blood drive The cleanup will be held on Saturday, June 21, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Interested volunteers are encouraged to meet at Wahconah Park to begin cleanup of the river's west branch. It is recommended for participants to wear old clothes and sneakers, a hat, waterproof boots or waders, and sunglasses, and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. BEAT and HVA will also be providing a limited number of waders for volunteers to borrow. Canoes will be on site to transport all trash and debris found at the banks and bottom of the river throughout the event. Organizers said that these cleanups have made a significant difference in the Housatonic River's health, finding a variety of unusual items in the water. Notable trash included shopping carts, televisions, mattresses, and even an empty ATM. BEAT and HVA said that the gradual decrease of trash in the river would not be possible without the help of volunteers each year. To register for the cleanup, visit Volunteers who register in advance will also be provided with a free lunch from a local restaurant following the event. More information can be found at WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Girl Scouts donate nearly 14,000 boxes of cookies at Barnes Air National Guard Base
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Nearly 14,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies are on their way to military personnel, thanks to a generous donation from the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) through their 'Project Care and Share' program. Mass. clean cement company hopes to win back $87M federal award On Monday, GSCWM delivered 1,166 cases of cookies to Barnes Aire National Guard Base and the United Service Organizations (USO), aiming to bring a taste of home and appreciation to service members currently deployed or on duty. The donation is part of the Girl Scouts' ongoing efforts to support the military community and instill civic engagement in young members. Five of the program's top cookie sellers were on site to assist with loading the cookies onto transport trucks. The donation not only supports the morale of military personnel but also teaches young Girl Scouts the importance of giving back and honoring those who serve. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
When is Juneteenth 2025? Is there mail? Are banks closed? All about the federal holiday
It's known as America's Second Independence Day, and it's coming soon. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It's the longest-running African American holiday, and it became a federal holiday a few years ago. Here's what to know about the holiday. Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday in 2025, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It is one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. The others are: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Washington's Birthday/Presidents Day Memorial Day July 4 Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day Juneteenth will be marked on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Unlike other federal holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving, which are observed on a specific day of the week, Juneteenth is celebrated on the actual day. Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the History Channel. Juneteenth — short for June nineteenth — marks the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. Juneteenth is a portmanteau of June 19, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston. It became known as "Juneteenth" by the newly freed slaves of Texas, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture at the Smithsonian. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. But its effect was limited, according to the National Archives. It only applied to states that seceded during the Civil War, leaving slavery intact for slave states that stayed with the Union. It also could not be enforced until Confederate states were under Union control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Therefore, it took until June 19, 1865, for slaves in Texas to be freed. Slavery in America was formally abolished with the 13th Amendment, which was ratified Dec. 6, 1865. Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden signed legislation on June 17, 2021, according to USA TODAY, after Congress passed The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act that same month. Juneteenth began rising to prominence in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, USA TODAY reports. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., first introduced the Juneteenth bill in 2020 following the killings of Floyd and Breonna Taylor of Louisville, Kentucky. His initial attempt to pass the bill was unsuccessful. No. As a federal holiday, the U.S. Postal Service is closed that day, and there will be no mail delivered. FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on June 19, according to the company's website. FedEx Office locations will also be open, USA TODAY reports. Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, meaning the organization that regulates the nation's banking system is closed, according to Banks aren't required to close for Federal Reserve holidays, but they often do. Transactions made during these holidays won't be posted until the next business day. Branches of Capital One, Bank of America, PNC, Truist, CitiBank and JPMorgan Chase will be closed on Juneteenth, USA TODAY is reporting. Capital One Cafes will remain open. The New York Stock Exchange is closed on federal holidays and will be closed on Juneteenth, according to its website. Trash pickup may be delayed because of Juneteenth, depending on the hauler. Contact your municipality or private provider to learn more. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: When is Juneteenth 2025? Is there mail? Will banks be open? What to know
