Agawam and West Springfield mark Veterans Day tradition

New at noon, it's Veterans Day, and a long-standing tradition continued in Agawam and West Springfield this morning. 22 News reporter Nick Antonakis joins us live in studio now with a look at the ceremony. Yeah, Julia, no matter how many years go by, the wreath-laying ceremony on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge is always so impactful. Take a look. A Veterans Day tradition. West Springfield on one side, Agawam on the other. Marching to the center of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge to honor all those who have served our country. Being part of something that's been going much longer than I served or have been even alive, it's extremely important, it's extremely symbolic, and it's the way it should be. Patrick Astaferrero is the president of the Agawam Veterans Council and a veteran himself. He emphasized how unique Veterans Day is. Unlike Memorial Day, which honors those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, every November 11th, we're given the blessed opportunity to say thank you to anyone who has served. There isn't a day that goes by that ends in a way that you can't reach out to a veteran and say thank you. But today is the day that has been marked so that we don't forget. What's so special about this ceremony is two rivaled communities like West Springfield and Agawam physically come together right here at the middle of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge to toss a wreath and honor veterans. It's a wonderful tradition between two rival communities. If you're a West Springfield native, you hate the Brownies. And if you're an Agawam native, you hate the Terriers. But as much as we're rivals, we're kind of sister communities. The reason we have a lot of what we have here in America is because we have members of our communities, members of our country that are willing to go serve. So it's incredibly important for both communities to share that day, share this bridge, and then share the honoring our veterans. So thank a veteran. Not only on Veterans Day, but every day. Now, we'll have continued coverage of all of the Veterans Day events that are happening around western Massachusetts, so stay tuned for 22 News later this evening. Working for you, Nick Antonakis, 22 News.