Category: Holyoke

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May 2nd, 2021 – Weekly Update

Happy May Everyone,

We had a big week over here in the State Senate.  I’m very proud to announce that the Bond Bill to fund the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home passed the Senate.  After months of working tirelessly with staff, family, and residents, this is a huge step towards creating a new Home where we can care for our veterans with the dignity they deserve.  The bill still hasn’t been signed into law yet , but I’m hopeful and will continue to work relentlessly to push this through. 

Apart from the preparation for the Bond Bill, I was able to still get out into the community and meet with some constituents this week.  On Monday, I took a meeting with the 509 chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  As the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, I look forward to working with them on policy in the future.

I also met with Westfield State University’s student government this week to provide them with my annual update about the State Legislature.  I’m very proud to have Westfield State in my district.  These students are going to be our next generation of leaders and I’m always to happy to talk to them about what’s going on in the Legislature.

I was also able to tour another one of my favorite places in Westfield this week, the Boys and Girls Club.  I, alongside State Senator Lesser from Springfield and Representative Pease from Westfield, toured their new addition.  We also toured their new kitchen which has been vital during the course of this pandemic.  We’re lucky to have such a hardworking and dedicated staff at our local Boys and Girls’ Club. 

Also congratulations is in order for Miren Neyran Alcantara from Holyoke Community College and Miranda Kamukala of Springfield Technical Community College, two constituents of mine who are being celebrated this week by the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges for being some of the highest academic achievers in our state’s entire Community College System! Both were named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team for their outstanding academic achievement and student service. The community colleges in our region have some truly incredible students and congratulations to both on their achievements.

This Sunday marks Easter in the Greek Orthodox church!  My family and I are very proud of our Greek heritage and faith.  I’m very excited to be able to celebrate with them and I hope that as we move out of the pandemic, gatherings like this become more and more common.  στην υγειά μας!

Recently I’ve started sending out newsletters from my office. You can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office.  I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Sincerely,

John Velis

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Massachusetts Senate Advances Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Bond Bill

(Boston–04/29/2021) On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill authorizing $400 million in bonds for the design and construction of a new facility for the soldiers’ home in Holyoke. It also authorizes the issuance of $200 million in general obligation bonds to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for Massachusetts veterans across the state, with an emphasis on those areas not primarily served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke.

“Massachusetts has always been a leader for veteran services, and this bill reflects the Senate’s deep commitment to those who have served our nation,” stated Senator John Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “While our veteran population and their medical needs are changing, the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home’s mission remains the same: to provide care with honor and dignity. This bond bill will ensure that the next generation of residents at the Home receive the care with honor and dignity that they have earned in service to our country.”

“The funding in this bill will ensure that we begin to rethink how we deliver care to veterans of every generation across Massachusetts,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Ensuring that our veterans are connected to their communities is an important factor in ensuring that their physical and mental health is taken care of, and so I am proud of the steps we have taken to ensure geographic equity and accessibility, especially for our women and LGBTQ veterans, as well as veterans of color. Our quick action in passing this legislation will help ensure we maximize federal funds in this important endeavor.”

In passing the $400 million bond authorization for a new soldiers’ home in Holyoke, Massachusetts is eligible to receive up to 65 per cent in federal reimbursement through the Veterans Affairs State Home Construction Grant Program. The existing soldiers’ home in Holyoke was built in 1952 with many triple and quadruple-bed rooms. The bill passed by the Senate will advance the construction of a modern facility with a “small house” concept to meet the needs of future generations of veterans.

“To meet the needs of the ever changing veteran population, the bill adopted today is a reflection of the strong advocacy of the members of this Senate to begin providing the long-term care services desperately needed for all veterans across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. “I want to thank Senate President Spilka for her leadership along with Senators Rush, Velis, Feeney and others for their contributions to improve the bill to address regional equity and increase accessibility to services for our veterans who are not served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke.”

The Senate adopted an amendment on the floor to ensure that construction of the project utilizes a diverse workforce and provides for well-paying, middle class jobs. The amendment inserts Project Labor Agreement language that mandates a pre-bid, pre-hire labor agreement for the construction of the new facility in Holyoke, which will ensure that the workforce is local, diverse, inclusive, well-trained, safe and skilled.

Historically, such agreements on large taxpayer funded projects result in the completion of construction on-time and on or under budget. Additionally, this amendment mandates bold action to establish, recruit, and assist women, minority, and veteran owned businesses who may participate in the design and construction of the facility. The bill establishes the Access, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee to help set and monitor progress of diversity and inclusion goals and recommend solutions and programs to meet them, throughout the design and construction of the facility.

“The new Holyoke Soldier’s Home should be a safe, comfortable and welcoming facility worthy of its residents and their service to this country,” stated Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our veterans deserve the very best in care and treatment. The passage of this bond authorization will ensure that their needs are met for generations to come. I am proud that the Senate added additional language during our debate that strengthens the bill to reflect our Commonwealth’s collective values. It is critical that significant taxpayer funded projects of this scope be completed on-time and on-budget with a diverse, local, safe, well-trained and highly skilled workforce. Additionally, we should be working diligently to assist women, minority, and veteran owned businesses in creating jobs and opportunities now and in the future. The bill we passed today accomplishes these goals by authorizing funding for a modern facility for our Commonwealth’s veterans while expanding opportunities for many local working-class people in the construction trades.”

As part of the Senate’s commitment to increase geographic equity and accessibility for all veterans, the bill requires the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), in consultation with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Veterans

Affairs (DVA), to hold hearings across the state to better understand the regional long-term care needs of veterans throughout the Commonwealth. Based on these hearings, communities will be better positioned to advocate for the $200 million authorized in new capital spending for long-term care services for veterans across the continuum of care, including potentially new “small home” satellite veterans’ homes, or new or expanded capital supports for community or home-based care.

One of many amendments adopted on the floor also requires the Department of Veteran’s Services to consider the needs of veterans in designing facilities to ensure new facilities meet the needs of a changing veteran population, while another requires plans for new long-term care facilities to prioritize equitable access, regardless of race, religion, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

The bill must now be reconciled with the version recently passed by the House of Representatives.

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Velis Files Education Bills in Senate

State Sen. John C. Velis, pictured in 2019 with Paper Mill Elementary School  students Emilee Buoniconti and Eric Dean. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)

(BOSTON 3/29/2021) Today Senator John C. Velis announced a series of education-related bills  that he filed in the Massachusetts State Senate.  The three bills deal with cardiac arrest in student athletes, excused school absences for mental health, and reimbursement for school building projects from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. 

SD1233, An Act relative to sudden cardiac arrest awareness in student athletes, directs the Department of Public Health to develop an interscholastic athletic sudden cardiac distress and death prevention program for schools.  Senator Velis stated that the idea for this legislation came from conversations with Westfield resident, Susan Canning, whose son, Kevin Major, died from an abnormally enlarged heart muscle known as Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in July of 2011.  

“Kevin’s story is truly heartbreaking, and Mrs. Canning has been tireless in her work to raise awareness about issues of cardiac arrest in our youth,” said Senator Velis.  “2,000 people under the age of 25 die each year of sudden cardiac arrest, with many of these tragedies occurring during athletic or physical activities.  Often times these young, seemingly healthy, individuals don’t even know they are at risk, and this bill would ensure that our school systems are trained to spot the warning signs before it’s too late.” 

The bill, which is supported by the American Heart Association, requires certain school personnel  to participate in the program, where they would be trained in recognizing the symptoms and warning signs of cardiac distress and sudden cardiac arrest.   Additionally, student athletes would be required to provide information relative to any cardiac medical history at the start of each sports season. 

SD2388, An Act relative to the mental health of children in schools, would allow for school absences to be permitted for behavioral health concerns.  There is currently no state law in Massachusetts mandating that schools allow such absences, but many already do.  

“Mental health is an issue that is simply not talked about enough, especially when it comes to youth in our communities,” said Senator Velis, who is Vice Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.  “School can be an incredibly stressful time for many students.  It is so important that student are taking care of their mental health, and they should be able to take the time to do that without any consequences.” 

SD1743, An Act relative to school districts in receivership and the Massachusetts School Building Authority, would make school districts in receivership eligible for higher reimbursement rates from the state for school building projects.  Currently, school districts cannot receive more than 80% reimbursement of eligible costs from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.  

Senator Velis stated after working with Holyoke Public Schools and City officials on their current middle school project, it became clear that school districts in receivership face unique challenges in completing new building projects.  

“There are currently only three school districts in the state that are in receivership, Holyoke, Lawrence and Southbridge,” said Senator Velis.  “These school districts have already been determined to need more support from the state and I think that should apply to any new school construction projects as well.” 

State Representative Patricia Duffy, who represents Holyoke in the House of Representatives, is a cosponsor of SD1743 as well.  

These bills have yet to be referred to a committee.  

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March 21, 2021 – Weekly Update

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Folks, 

It was another busy week here in the State Senate.  This week marked the first hearing on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Bond Bill.  Elected officials, family members, veterans’ advocates, and myself testified before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on the specifics of the bill, which would allow the state to build an entirely new facility.  The need for a new Home has existed for far too long and the tragedy that occurred there this past spring has only made that more apparent.  Our veterans are the best of us and therefore they deserve the best from us. 

This past Thursday’s Senate session was fruitful as well.  The Senate passed a coronavirus relief package aimed at small businesses. Among other things, it would make PPP loans non-taxable income and extend the tax filing deadline until May 17th.  As the light at end of the tunnel for this pandemic gets brighter and brighter, it’s paramount that the legislature continues to focus on the keystone of our economic recovery: small businesses.   

In addition to the hearing about the bond bill this week, the Special Oversight Committee on the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke also held a hearing on Friday.  We heard testimony directly from Mark Pearlstein, who was appointed by the Governor to conduct an independent investigation on the COVID-19 outbreak at the Home.  The purpose of these hearings is to find out the underlying institutional causes that led to the tragedy at the Home last spring and to make sure something like this never happens again.   

Friday morning I also joined some of my colleagues and officials from Mercy Medical Center for their virtual legislative breakfast. It was an informative meeting where we heard directly from Mercy leadership about how the Center has adapted to COVID-19 to serve our communities. 

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of presenting citations to two retiring Westfield Police officers, Terry Manos and William Ulrich.  With a combined sixty-four years on the force, they did an excellent job serving and protecting our community.  Thank you to the both of them and everyone here in my office is wishing them a happy retirement.   

I’d also like to commend the staff and students at Holyoke Community College for being ranked amongst the best community colleges in the United States by AcademicInfluence.com this week.  They were 20th out of 839 schools across the country.  They’re deserving of it and I know they will continue to help build a stronger workforce for the entire region.   

This week, the Governor also announced new updates to the Vaccine eligibility timeline. On March 22nd, individuals 60+ and workers in certain sectors will become eligible.  On April 5th, individuals 55+ and those with one comorbidity will become eligible.  And on April 19th, the general public will become eligible.  If you have any questions on your eligibility, please visit www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine  or my website link which I mention below. 

Recently, I also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  To sign up for my quarterly newsletter, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/ 

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office.  I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 

Sláinte! 

John Velis 

Senator Velis presents Senate citations to Westfield Police officers, Terry Manos and William Ulrich, who retired this past year after 32 years each of service.
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‘We never received that request’: General says Massachusetts National Guard was initially unaware of rising death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

January 21st, 2020 – Stephanie Barry – MassLive, Photos by Sam Doran (State House News Service)

HOLYOKE — Ten months after the coronavirus tore through the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, the head of the state’s National Guard contingent testified before a legislative oversight committee that he never received a call for help from the facility when the disease took hold in March.

Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard and the new chairman of the Soldiers’ Home board of trustees, said he and 102 members of the guard arrived at the home late that month, when veterans began dying at an alarming rate, encountering carnage many staff have since recounted to a litany of investigators.

…

Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, a committee member and combat veteran who has emerged as an advocate for the facility and families of veterans, challenged Sudders on the hierarchy that includes the Department of Veterans Services.

He pointed to a blistering report commissioned by Baker and authored by Boston attorney Mark Pearlstein that heaped blame for the death toll on upper management at the Soldiers’ Home and middle management for the state.

“Does it make sense to have that added layer of bureaucracy?” Velis asked Sudders. “The more people you have in that chain of command, the more instances of potential breakdown.”

Sudders stood behind the chain of command and highlighted the hasty reforms the state is pursuing, including a “refresh” of the Holyoke facility, staffing changes and a sprint toward a new, state-of-the-art home with a $300 million price tag.

Some of Sudders’ own testimony suggested she was unfamiliar with the culture at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home until the crisis, including haphazard staffing.

“I was frankly stunned that there wasn’t a permanent schedule at the home,” Sudders testified, referring to staffing plans, though she maintained the levels were “adequate.”

Velis suggested Walsh’s call for help may have gotten lost in the tangled chain of command. In response to a request for comment, a spokeswoman for Sudders referred to a page in the Pearlstein report that concluded the call for the National Guard came to a halt with former Veterans’ Services Secretary Francisco Urena, whom Walsh emailed directly. Two days later, the cavalry arrived when other state leaders got wind of the magnitude of the crisis, the report says.

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Health officials testify on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

January 21, 2020 – Audrey Russo, Morgyn Joubert – Western Mass News

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) — Some of the state’s top health officials testified before state lawmakers Thursday on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.

The joint legislative session looked to get to the bottom of staffing levels at the facility, where more than 75 veterans have died after testing positive for COVID-19.

Legislators not only discussed recent changes to how staffing is managed but also the requirements set to become a superintendent.

“You’re not giving staff certainty on their schedule, and people were having, not knowing what their schedule is going to be,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders.

Sudders fielded questions from legislators on why staff turnover rates were so high at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.

Members of a joint legislative committee tasked to investigate the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. On Thursday, they were eager to address the staffing shortages and other problems that caused the pandemic to spiral out of control.

“There was not the internal processes, clinical management, and operations, to withstand a pandemic,” she explained. “There are many nursing homes in Massachusetts that faced the pandemic, including Chelsea, but their internal structures didn’t collapse.”

The lawmakers questioned Sudders as to why a licensed nursing home administrator is preferred, but it’s not a requirement of a potential superintendent. That is a requirement at private facilities at the state.

Sudders said the distinction isn’t rigorous enough when it comes to the actual healthcare experience. She believes even a licensed nursing home administrator couldn’t have reigned the pandemic in, given the home’s operational failings.

“I don’t think one person would have been able to have stopped that,” she noted.

One of the committee members, State Senator John Velis, said the goal is to find solutions.

“We need to transition to the going forward part of this,” Velis said.

Velis added that after speaking with families, his concerns about staffing linked to the home’s ability to facilitate resident visits once again.

“You’ve got all these veteran residents not able to speak to their families, talk to their families in a meaningful way. I would say so I’m concerned about that impact,” he noted.

In-person visits are canceled for the time being at the home.

Acting Superintendent Val Liptak and the state’s Veterans Services Secretary Cheryl Poppe also testified on Thursday.

The legislative committee’s report is due in the spring, roughly one year since the outbreak began.

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Senator Velis, Legislators, Bring up Concerns during Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Oversight Hearing

BOSTON (1/22/2020)

On Thursday the Legislature’s Special Oversight Committee on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home held a virtual public hearing for administration officials and staff to directly testify. Senator John Velis, who represents the city of Holyoke and sits on the committee, stated that the hearing was an opportunity to bring up concerns and learn more about how to improve the Home.

“It is clear that staffing and oversight problems at the Home have existed for a long time. I have heard many concerns from families and staff directly, and it was critical to bring these issues up,” said Senator Velis. “The goal is to figure out how we can address these problems going forward so a tragedy like last spring never happens again.”

Major General Gary Keefe, who was recently named the new Chair of the Soldiers’ Home Board of Trustees, was among those who testified in front of the committee. General Keefe is the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard and was in charge of the guardsmen who were deployed to the Home in March to respond to the outbreak.

General Keefe said that when he first arrived at the Home at the end of March, “it was bedlam.” Responding to a question about the chain of command at the Home, the General stated that a standardization of policies and regulations at the Home is badly needed.

One of the first to testify was the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Marylou Sudders. After a series of questions regarding staffing levels and administration positions at the facility, the Secretary noted that they are continuing to work to improve staffing levels and that recruitment is always a challenge.

In a comment to the Secretary, Senator Velis said that families have continued to report that staffing shortages at the Home have contributed to visitation problems. “All these families want to do is see their loved ones. The isolation that COVID-19 has brought upon these Veterans is terrible, and I am worried about the impact this time period will have on their mental health.”

Secretary Sudders responded that shutting down visitations last spring and then later this fall again were some of the hardest decisions she has ever had to make. She said that she was hopeful that family visits and socialization with other residents will improve with increased vaccinations and new testing models. She also stated that she has asked Secretary of Veteran Services Cheryl Poppe to come up with a new visitation model for the Home.

Another topic discussed was the recommendations the architecture firm, Payette, has made for a new Soldiers’ Home facility. Their plan, which was commissioned by the Baker administration, calls for 180-204 beds for the new Home, a decrease from the pre-COVID capacity of 235 beds.

Senator Velis stressed that the bed projection needs to be increased, mainly because there is no way to accurately predict how many Veterans will rely on the Home in the future. “I would rather be in a position 20 years from now where we’ve got a few vacancies as opposed to waiting lists where constituents can’t get a bed at the Home.”

Kevin Jourdain, the former Chair of the Board of Trustees, also testified on Thursday that the number of beds should not be decreased. “We can’t predict the next war, the next military conflict. We’re supposed to be building a facility for the next 100 years, not for the next 10 years,” said Jourdain.

Mr. Jourdain also emphasized the importance of instituting an ombudsman’s office at the Home to ensure that residents and families have an confidential and independent resource to reach out to when issues arise. In the FY’2021 budget, an amendment by Senator Velis to provide funding for an

ombudsman’s office at the Soldiers Home’ was successfully adopted. Mr. Jourdain stated that such a position would greatly help to improve oversight of the Home.

The hearing, which lasted from 1PM until just before 7PM, is the first the Committee has held in the new year. A report from the Committee, along with possible legislation, is due by the end of March.

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Photos from the virtual hearing with Senator Velis, General Keefe, Secretary Sudders and Secretary Poppe

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January 10, 2021 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,  

I hope you all are doing well and staying safe. Many of our communities are still in the high-risk category for COVID-19 cases, so it is critical that we continue to curb the spread while vaccinations roll out. First responders across the state will begin to receive their first doses of the vaccine this coming Monday. 

Wednesday marked the start of the new 192nd legislative session. Although the senate swearing-in session was remote, it was a great experience to be sworn in while being at my district office in Westfield. I’m so honored to continue working on behalf of the Second Hampden and Hampshire district. The night before, the Senate held its last session of the 191st legislative session, which went until just before 5AM. Two of the major pieces passed were the Economic Development bill and the Transportation Bond bill. 

The Economic Development bill will provide much needed relief to businesses that have suffered due to COVID-19. Among other things, the bill includes $20 million in grants to restaurants,  $30 million for payroll protection, and over $100 million for local economic development projects. The bill also prioritizes workforce development initiatives and includes $15 million for vocational technical schools and $15 million to support career-oriented programs at community colleges. There are also a number of strong policy initiatives in the bill to protect consumers, including establishing a Student Loan Ombudsman’s office within the Attorney General’s office to assist students with loan servicer issues. I was proud to vote for such a multifaceted bill that is much needed during these dire times.  

The $16.5 billion dollar Transportation Bond bill passed by the legislature is an authorization of funds for transportation projects and maintenance all over the Commonwealth, including in our district. It was critical that the authorization was made before the end of session so that projects can continue during the spring and summer construction seasons. I am glad to report that the gas tax that many were contemplating was not included in the final transportation bill. As many of you know, I strongly opposed an increase to the gas tax during my time in the House as I believe it disproportionately affects our communities in Western Mass. I have continued to advocate against such a tax in the Senate and am glad that it was not included in this final piece of legislation. 

As the new legislative session begins, I am feverously researching, drafting, and filing bills. Part of that work includes meeting with organizations and constituents in our communities and across our state. On Friday I met with Jeff Hayden, Vice-President of Business and Community Services at Holyoke Community College, to talk about ways we can develop our workforce and increase vocational training in our communities. Preparing our next generation with the workforce skills they need is a strong focus of my legislative agenda. Other focuses of my legislative research include substance use programs, education requirements, animal rights protections, and veterans affairs issues. As the bill filing process moves along, I encourage you to reach out to my office if you have ideas on potential legislation. 

In this new legislative session, I will also be putting together quarterly newsletters from my office that can be sent right to your email inbox. You can sign up here.

As always if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email:  john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. 

Best wishes for a happy new year, 

John C. Velis 

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Velis hopeful for a better 2021

January 4th, 2020 – The Westfield News – Hope E. Tremblay

WESTFIELD – Like most people, state Sen. John C. Velis is looking forward to focusing on the positive in 2021.

When the clock struck midnight on New Year’s, Velis had one thing to say: “2020 – see ya!”

“I miss people,” he said. “For most politicians, people are the reason you do the job. I love people and cannot wait to get back to seeing everyone in person.”

Velis won the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District senate seat not once, but twice during the pandemic. Since his first swearing-in in May, Velis has attended every senate session – which were extended through the entire year – virtually.

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‘Leading the way’: Vaccinations begin at Soldiers’ Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea, offering a crucial step toward reconnecting families

December 29th, 2020 – Greg Saulmon – MassLive, Photo by Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican

HOLYOKE — When U.S. Air Force veteran Robert Aucoin got his first of two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, he fist bumped a nurse standing nearby.

“Leading the way,” said Aucoin, 78, who was the first resident vaccinated at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.

Across the state, at the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea, World War II veteran Dominic Pitella got his shot as vaccinations began at the state’s two long-term care facilities for veterans, both of which saw dozens of residents die in coronavirus outbreaks this year.

It was a milestone in the ongoing effort to keep the virus out of the nursing homes — but family members and advocates said it was also a crucial step toward letting loved ones back in.

For nine months, veterans and their families have had few chances to see each other in person. Outdoor visits resumed in Holyoke in June, only to be suspended in September when an administrator tested positive for the virus. Visits were suspended indefinitely in November as cases and deaths surged.

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State Sen. John C. Velis, a U.S. Army Reserve combat veteran whose district includes Holyoke, said he was glad to see the vaccinations begin — and that it’s critical to ensure the process is swift.

“The visiting hours have continuously been on hold because of the potential cases, for both residents and staff, which has just been tremendously hard for the families and veterans of Western Mass,” he said, describing “heartbreaking” conversations with family members who have been unable to visit the home. He added, “All they want to do is get in there and give dad, mom, brother, sister a hug, and tell them they love them.”

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As families wait for the day when they can visit again — relying on nurses and other staff in the meantime to help set up video chats and calls — Velis pledged to continue working with administrators and advocating for steps to safeguard the veterans’ emotional wellbeing.

“One thing I really need to ensure is that in the absence of these visits, veterans are being emotionally engaged,” he said. “They’ve earned it, right? We’re talking about the most selfless population in the world.”

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