On September 11, we will remember those brave fire fighters, police and emergency medical technicians who ran in to the burning buildings in New York City, the civilian heroes on United Flight 93, and the members of the U. S. Armed Forces who were sitting at their desks at The Pentagon. Please join us for the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at 10AM at the Public Safety Complex.

We are a community, a country and fortunate to have our freedoms protected.

Judy Matt
President

September 11th Remembrance Ceremony

Springfield Fire Commissioner Joe Conant and Police Commissioner John Barbieri will host the September 11th Remembrance Ceremony. They will be joined by David Pelletier, General Manager for American Medical Response, and the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

The traditional ceremony taking place at 10AM at the Public Safety Complex at 1212 Carew Street will include the roll out of emergency vehicles, laying of a wreath, rifle salute and retiring of the colors.

Spinning for Springfield Ride to Remember

The Spirit of Springfield and 180 Fit Gym had a full compliment of Spinners for the Springfield Ride to Remember Fundraiser on August 27. A team from MassLive filled the Spinning Bikes at 11AM. At 12Noon in his dress shirt and tie, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno pedaled for 15 minutes along side West Springfield Mayor Ed Sullivan and Chicopee Mayor Richard Kos.

Proceeds from the Springfield Ride to Remember will be used to build new soccer fields in honor of Springfield Police Department Fallen OfficersAlain Beauregard and Michael Schiavina and for the Fallen Officers Monument at the Massachusetts State House.

Bright Nights Road Race Registration

There are 500 coveted spots in the Bright Nights 5K Road Race ready for the first to complete the registration. It opens Monday, September 14 at midnight at brightnights.org.

The run through the magnificent holiday lighting displays will be held Monday, November 30 at 6:30PM. Check-in starts at 5PM. In the event of inclement weather, the race will be held Tuesday, December 1. Registration is $50 per person and is open to runners at least 14 years old.

The race, that has earned the reputation of being Springfield's favorite race, is sponsored by Health New England with additional support from Freedom Credit Union and New England Orthopedic Surgeons.

Thanks Western Mass. Legislators!

Thanks to the efforts of Senators Eric

Lesser and James Welch, the Spirit of Springfield was included in the FY 2016 State Budget. With the support of the Western Massachusetts House Delegation, the line item for $100,000 was returned to the budget after the Governor's veto.

The funds will support the Spirit of Springfield's 25-year mission to bring the community together in celebration with free family-friendly events that include the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast, Star Spangled Springfield and the Parade of the Big Balloons.

Bright Nights Ball Auction Up-Date

Newly added items to the City of Bright Nights Ball Silent Auction include a $100 gift card for the Kate Gray Boutique, two weeks of summer camp at The Arbors Kids, ski lift tickets for Berkshire East, Bolton Valley and Blanford Ski Area. For warmer weather getaways, Elite Island Resorts donated seven night stays in Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenadines and five nights in Panama.

Guy Fieri donated a signed cookbook. New Jersey Devil's Andy Green (#6) sent an autographed puck and The Tree House Brewing Company gave a $50 gift certificate. For a complete visit spiritofspringfield.org .

New auction items are welcome by e-mailing amy@spiritofspringfield.org.

Chattanooga Memorial Service for Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan

Hundreds of soldiers and sailors came together August 15 in Tennessee to honor the four U. S. Marines and the U. S. Navy Sailor who were killed on July 16. Springfield Native Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan was one of those heroes.

As Vice President Joseph Biden said during the service, "We have a message for those perverted cowards around the world: America never yields, never bends, never cowers, never stands down - (but) endures, responds, and always overcomes. For we are Americans, and never, never underestimate us. It's always a bad, bad bet to do that."

Nathan Bill's Bar and Restaurant has sold over 1,000 t-shirts honoring Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan. Shirts are still available at the restaurant for $20 each. Proceeds will be used for an educational scholarship and Soldier On.

Springfield Fire Department Graduation, Awards and Promotions

The Spirit of Springfield was pleased to lend its support to the Springfield Fire Department for their program on July 31 at Springfield Central High School. Several firefighters were recognized for their bravery.

Two received promotions and 13 became Springfield Firefighters. Of the 13, three had their new badges pinned on them by their fathers who are also Springfield Firefighters.

Up, Up . . .

and Away with the 104th Fighter Wing

Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt took part in an EmployerSupport of the Guard and Reserve Mission to promote cooperation and understanding between the service members and employers.

On her flight aboard a KC-135 to Savannah. she witnessed a F-15 refuel in flight. On her second day, she witnessed military training and activities, and then a tour of historic Savannah. It was interacting with the troops during at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center the barbecue that she enjoyed most.

Video courtesy of Tim Corbett, Executive Vice President and CIO for MassMutual Financial Group.

The Spirit of Springfield is a private, non-profit corporation

which produces high-quality,

large-scale events in the city of Springfield.

Our mission is to promote community events and
encourage civic pride.

Celebrating 25 Years of Springfield's
Biggest, Best and Brightest

In This Issue

September 11th Remembrance Ceremony

Spinning for Springfield Ride to Remember

Bright Nights Road Race Registration

Thanks Western Mass. Legislators

Bright Nights Ball Auction Up-Date

Chattanooga Memorial Service for GySGT Sullivan

Springfield Fire Department Event Support

Up, Up and Away with 104th Fighter Wing

Guest Column - Senator Eric Lesser

Guest Corner

Senator Eric Lesser

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

The Spirit of Springfield has a special place in my heart. Trips to Bright Nights in my family's minivan. Carrying big balloons with Longmeadow High's Key Club. Sitting with my sisters at the Fourth of July fireworks. Rallying the troops to "Beat Battle Creek" at the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast. And now, re-living those memories with my own young family.

The Spirit of Springfield puts on our region's most iconic events. But we know it's about more than organizing events, of course. It's about promoting pride in our region and excitement for all Springfield has to offer.

It's also about economic development and jobs. Bright Nights alone is estimated to generate as much as $11 million in economic activity every winter. That's why, joining with Senator Jim Welch, I led the charge to secure $100,000 in new funding for the Spirit of Springfield.

Simply put, it's worth the investment. These new funds will help attract more visitors. That means more people staying in our local hotels, eating in our local restaurants, shopping in our local stores, and visiting our local attractions. Eventually, that means more jobs, and a brighter future for Springfield and our surrounding region.

Senator Lesser serves as Chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts & Cultural Development in the Legislature. He recently authored an op-ed on the importance of tourism, arts and culture as economic engines.

Get Your Spirit of Springfield Anniversary Book

Call 413-733-3800

for a souvenir celebrating 25 years of Springfield's Biggest, Best and Brightest!

2015 Calendar of Events!

September 11 Remembrance Ceremony

Friday

September 11
10 AM - 11 AM
Raymond Sullivan Safety Complex

U. S. Air Force Concert Band & Singing Sergeants

Free Concert

Tuesday, October 20 7PM

Springfield Symphony Hall

City of Bright Nights Ball

Saturday

November 14
6:30 PM - Midnight
Sheraton Springfield

Bright Nights at Forest Park

November 25 - January 3

Closed November 30 & December 1

Forest Park

Parade of Big Balloons