Principal’s service to nation inspires students

As a military man who served 22 years with the United States Air Force, I am always appreciative of any opportunity to recognize those who have served our country well. I am particularly pleased to have joined in the recognition of one of our very own school principals this week as we, as a City, took pause to recognize the 69th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

On Dec. 7, 2010, the City of Springfield awarded Margaret C. Ells School Principal Dr. Jose Irizarry the 2010 Daniel O’Sullivan Award. The late Daniel P. O’Sullivan was a Vietnam veteran and former director of the city’s Code Enforcement Department. The award named in his honor recognizes veterans employed by the City of Springfield who demonstrate courtesy and fairness towards their employees and colleagues.

Dr. Irizarry has served in the US Army Reserves for nearly 30 years and is currently a First Sergeant with Detachment 1 3,200 Strategic Intelligence Group at Fort Devens, Massachusetts which is part of the New England Reserve Intelligent Support Center. He served during Operation Iraqi Freedom as an advisor to the Iraqi army and has earned multiple military awards, including a Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and others. I was especially moved during his acceptance speech when he spoke of the boxes and boxes of stuffed animals Ells students had collected and sent overseas as gifts to youngsters less fortunate than they.

I am very proud to count Dr. Irizarry among those City of Springfield employees whose selfless contributions protect the very freedom we as Americans enjoy every day.