Springfield MA Veterans Activities Committee

The Springfield Veterans Activities Committee regrets to mark the passing of our last member of the 'greatest generation ' with the loss of Roland F. Blanchard of Springfield.
Roland was a veteran of the U.S. Army's 10th Armored Division, serving as an armored infantryman. He was wounded by a sniper in Germany. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor and the Purple Heart.
The younger vets in the group called him 'the Iron Man' who, into his 90's, participated in the work of the group in all weather with his ever present smile and good nature.
His acceptance speech on his receipt of the Veteran of the Year award set a standard for brevity that will probably never be equalled. If Roland could have made it shorter, he would have. Being the center of attention did not appeal to Roland.
Rest in peace, Roland. You have set a standard we will try hard to meet.