(The Westfield News/MassLive – Miasha Lee) State Sen. John Velis spoke out last week about a change in policy that has the gates at the Agawam Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery closing at 4 p.m.
That contrasts with the Winchendon Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, where gates are open all day and night, Velis said. Velis, a Westfield Democrat who also represents Agawam, said he has reached out to the Executive Office of Veterans’ Services to raise this issue and hopes to the see the hours extended.
“There are only two state veterans’ cemeteries in all of Massachusetts,” Velis said. “People from all over the state come to Agawam to visit their loved ones, and it is absolutely heartbreaking to hear that folks are unable to do that because of these limited hours.”
He continued, “Closing the gates at 4 p.m. means that people with 9-5 work schedules don’t even have time to visit on the weekdays. The men and women who reside in the Agawam cemetery selflessly served and sacrificed for our nation. Their families and friends should be provided every opportunity to visit them and pay their respects.”
Until recently, the cemetery gates were kept open until dusk. Velis said he is trying to figure out why the closing time was changed. He told Reminder Publishing there is a profound and significant difference between closing at 4 p.m. and closing at 7 or 8 p.m. He said it is unfair that families with veterans buried in Agawam have different, and much more restrictive, opportunities to visit their graves than those with veterans interred in Winchendon.