Northampton vets honored with parade

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - If you stepped outside Friday, you can't help but notice the dozens of American flags decorating any given space around different towns in the Western Massachusetts.

In Northampton, there was a parade and special ceremony commemorating those who served our country. One of the veterans honored was Ellenor Rennell, who entered the service from Northampton and served during the Second World War.

“I was assistant to the aircraft maintenance supervisor, and I had to know the parts of the plane and then when they were finished, I had to make sure it was all together when they left the hanger for a young pilot to take off for war,” Rennell said.

The Veteran's Administration reports that more than 700 World War II veterans die each day, and out of the 16 million who served, there are only 1.7 million who are alive today.

Other veterans at the ceremony, like Derek Christiansen, told 22News about what Veterans Day means to them.

“It's about my brother that's in the military. Still it's about being one with the United States, you know, we both served together and he just got back, which is great now we get to come back and meet and hang out,” Christiansen said.

“This is what keeps our freedom to serve this nation, it's a great nation, the nation of liberties and progress,” said Victor Rivera, a veteran from Northampton.

Most of the veterans 22News spoke with Friday say this day of remembrance is also about honoring those who are overseas and waiting to come home. President Obama observed the federal holiday in Arlington, Virginia, saying that this holiday season will be one to celebrate the homecoming of the troops. Close to 40,000 troops remain in Iraq, and they are expected to land on U.S. soil by the year's end.