UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
2024 Calendar of Events
Dates for The Friends activities and events for the 2024 calendar year are listed below.
Details for the next upcoming activity can be found at the link(s) below:
We will post additonal details on events as the information becomes available.
Please submit any questions using the "Contact Us" form at the bottom of this page.
Thursday, January 18:
K- 104th Fighter Wing Resource Rodeo - Visibility Event
Wednesday, February 24:
K- Springfield Thunderbirds Military Appreciation Night - Visibility Event
45 Bruce Landon Way, Springfield MA
Wednesday, March 20:
General meeting at the Agawam Senior Center, 6:00 PM
Thursday, April 11:
Ceremony to honor Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers.
Sons of Erin, 22 William Street, Westfield, MA at 5:00 PM
Sunday, May 19:
F- Brick and Bench Dedication Ceremony
Wednesday, May 22:
M- Memorial Day Flags In
Wednesday, May 29:
M- Memorial Day Flags Out
Thursday, June 6
D-Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration at Loophole Brewery
Wednesday, July 10:
General meeting at the Agawam Senior Center, 6:00 PM
Tuesday, August 6:
K- National Night Out
Friday, September 13:
K- Big E Visibility Event
September 13 - 25;
Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit
Wednesday, September 18:
General meeting at the Agawam Senior Center, 6:00 PM
Sunday, October 6:
M- Fundraiser at Sons of Erin
Sunday, October 13:
F- Brick and Bench Dedication Ceremony, 11:00 AM
Saturday, November 9:
K - Vanished Valley Veterans Day Pig Roast 1:00 - 4:00 PM, 782 Center St, Ludlow, MA
Saturday, December 14:
M- Wreaths Across America Ceremony and Wreath Laying
TBD - Next General meeting date to be announced
December 10- Wreaths Across America Escort to Arlington Convoy
The nation’s longest veterans’ parade is coming to Agawam as it travels down the East Coast!
Wreaths Across America (WAA) has announced the commencement of its annual “Escort to Arlington”,
the nation’s longest veterans’ parade. This event is meant to honor and remember our fallen heroes,
while instilling the value of freedom in the next generation.
The convoy stop in Agawam will be on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, arriving at approximately 8:30 am.
The caravan will consist of 14 tractor-trailers, a bus transporting dignitaries, staff and volunteers, 40
vehicles to include WAA wrapped and public safety vehicles and a contingent from the Patriot Guard
Riders. The motorcade will travel a route which will include four schools, where students will greet the
convoy waving American flags.
Three public flag-waiving locations, where the public can park and flags will be provided, have been
designated (Sacred Heart Church, the Public Library and City Hall).
Public parking in the three designated parking areas and the Bethany Assembly of God will be
permitted between 7:45 and 8:15, to avoid congesting the convoy route.
The stop is at The Bethany Assembly of God, 580 Main Street where the nationally streamed public
flag-waving will take place at 9:15, followed by a limited access indoor program which will recognize
local individuals, businesses and organizations that support Wreaths Across America in western
Massachusetts. Tickets can be requested at agawamwaa@gmail.com
Participants will include Morrill Worcester, the founder of WAA, Karen Worcester, the Executive
Director of WAA and Wayne Hansen the Chairman of the Board of WAA; as well as Patti Elliott the
National President of the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc and Rebecca Stafford - National President
Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.
December 14- National Wreaths Across America Day
WHEN:
Saturday, December 14; shuttle buses start at 8:00 am, Ceremony at 10:00 am.
Wreaths Placement following the ceremony
WHERE:
The MA Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Agawam
PARKING:
Six Flags New England - 1623 Main Street, Agawam, MA
(Six Flags main parking lot across the street from the park.)
Bus shuttles provided courtesy of King Gray Coach Lines starting at 8:00 am.
Please arrive early at Six Flags to board the shuttle buses to avoid long lines, and to arrive in time for the ceremony.
There is no public parking at the cemetery during this event.
Those with HP plates/placards will be accommodated at Six Flags.
Due to this event the cemetery will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday December 14th until noon.
The Wreath Laying will be open to the public. Wreath Placement will immediately follow the ceremony.
There is no need to sign up to volunteer to lay wreaths.
Find Your Veteran Links:
https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/?utm_source=Veterans%20Legacy%20Memorial&utm_campaign=cem
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1965687/massachusetts-veterans-memorial-cemetery?
Photos of previous Wreath Across America Days can be found on our News page: https://www.agawamfriends.org/news
This looks great!
NOTE: Please pay your respects but do not place a wreath on graves with the emblems shown below, in accordance to their religious beliefs:
