A Season for Healing: Town honors Vietnam vets
By Danny Joseph
The bleachers were filled with Vietnam veterans and their families during Sunday’s program. (Amy Nachbar photo)
On Sunday, September 11, hundreds of people packed the stands at Memorial Field to honor the brave men and women of Canton who served America in the Vietnam War. In a stirring hour-long ceremony, everyone from high-ranking military personnel to Galvin Middle School students came together to pay tribute to Canton’s heroes in America’s longest war. The themes of remembrance and tribute were made all the more fitting with the ceremony falling on the tenth anniversary of the September 11 tragedy.
Retired Army Colonel and Canton resident Frank LaBollita, serving as the afternoon’s master of ceremonies, was the first to take the podium, welcoming the veterans as well as their friends and family. LaBollita was flanked by members of the Canton Board of Selectmen, fellow high-ranking military officers, and Canton Veterans Committee members, including event organizer and Veterans Agent Tony Andreotti.
After an invocation from Chaplain Candidate First Lieutenant Scott McGowan, Selectmen Chairman John Connolly delivered a poignant speech reminding audience members of the injustices and prejudices experienced by returning Vietnam soldiers. “One of the saddest periods in our history was when you were shunned, neglected, and demonized,” Connolly said to the veterans in attendance. “We are here today to make sure it never happens again.”
The Vietnam War was the lynchpin of an era of great unrest and upheaval in America, with soldiers often bearing the brunt of the aggression fostered by the conflict’s unpopularity. Many of the day’s speeches touched on the mistreatment of Vietnam veterans and aimed to assure those in attendance that their sacrifices would never again be forgotten or disrespected.
In another inspiring tribute to the veterans in attendance, a group of Galvin Middle School students in Elaine McCarthy’s class took the podium to read words of admiration and respect. Speaking with wisdom beyond their years, the six students told veterans that every day they wake up with freedom is a result of their sacrifice.
The students’ rousing tribute prompted LaBollita, a former teacher at the Galvin, to joke, “If I were still teaching at the Galvin, I would make sure you all got an A.”
Brigadier General Thomas Sellers, the land component commander for the Massachusetts Army National Guard, was the next to pay his respects. With 2,000 servicemen from Massachusetts currently overseas and 10,000 deployed in the last ten years, Sellers stressed that supporting the troops is as important as ever.
Sellers proceeded to deliver a powerful address, talking about how he was inspired to join the Army as a 17 year old by the heroism of Vietnam veterans, while also describing the emotion of visiting the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“The black granite walls of the memorial contain the 58,000 names of the soldiers killed in action during the Vietnam War,” said Sellers. “If you close your eyes, you can almost feel the heat from those 58,000 souls. We cannot rightfully celebrate our freedoms without thanking our Vietnam veterans.”
Among those 58,000 names are four from Canton: PFC Antonio Falco, Corporal Bruce J. Matta, Sergeant Rudolph E. Araujo, and Lieutenant Peter M. Hansen. After Sellers’ speech, family members of the four Canton men killed in action were presented with the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty. A moment of silence and a trumpet rendition of Taps honored the men and women who lost their lives in defense of the United States.
Afterwards, there was a roll call of Canton’s Vietnam veterans and the presentation of a gift to each one in attendance.
The afternoon’s largest ovation was reserved for Andreotti, who received a surprise honor from the United States Army. Andreotti was honored with the Commendment of Service for his tireless commitment to assisting veterans. Andreotti turned to the crowd, saluted, and gave the slightest of bows as the crowd gave him his second standing ovation.
Andreotti was visibly emotional as he addressed the crowd. “One day, when I’m done doing this, they’ll ask me what the highlight of my career was,” Andreotti said as he fought back tears. “I’ll tell them that it was the day I honored Vietnam veterans.”
After the ceremony, the veterans congregated at the American Legion to share a meal and reflect on the day that was.
“It was great to see Tony get recognized,” said Michael H. Crane, a Navy veteran who toured Vietnam in 1964-65. “He does a lot for this town and a lot for the vets — he always puts the guys above himself.”
After years of both neglect and hostility, many of the veterans in attendance felt that the afternoon’s ceremony was emblematic of improved treatment of veterans in recent years.
“I’ve been through the [Veteran Affairs] system since 1967,” said David Sloan, who served from 1967-1969. “Over the past 10 to 15 years they have gotten much better. They are always there with help, and they treat you like you should.”
For many veterans, simply being acknowledged made the ceremony an experience that they will carry for a lifetime.
“For a lot of years, no one ever said anything to us; a lot of guys were just melted in,” said Crane. “It’s beautiful to have a day of recognition.”
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=8055
Posted by Danny Joseph
on Sep 15 2011. Filed under News, Town Government.
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