Veterans were thanked for their commitment to making sure that no veterans return home without a proper welcome.
Springfield, 4/3/11, Staff Photo by David Molnar -- From left, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, , Springfield Veteran of the Year, Bernard McClusky and guest speaker speaker at the Vietnam Vetrans Day Commemorative Ceremony, Jame F. Leary watch as the colors pass at the event in Court Square.
SPRINGFIELD – Helicopter pilots and their crews were honored during the annual Vietnam Veterans Day commemorative ceremony held at the Vietnam Veterans Monument at Court Square Sunday.
“It’s important to me personally as a Vietnam veteran to commemorate the service of those who served and in turn those who currently serve in the military,” said Richard J. Tyrell, chairman of the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee.
The event had several speakers including Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Veteran of the Year Bernard McClusky and James F. Leary, a Springfield native and Army aviator who flew UH-1 helicopters during the Vietnam War.
“Everything that went out during the war whether it was mail, food or ammunition was delivered by helicopters,” Tyrell said. “ The injured were flown in by helicopters. Without the dedication of the helicopter pilots, their crewmen and their repair crews we would have had a far more difficult time.”
Sarno thanked the veterans for their many years of service and their commitment to making sure that no veterans return home without a proper welcome.
“You are all part of the group of Vietnam veterans that led the fight so that veterans now are honored and respected and for that we thank you,” Sarno said.
David Chapdelaine, the president of the Vietnam Veterans of America of Western Massachusetts Chapter 111, said Vietnam veterans feel it is important to show appreciation for anyone who has served in the military unlike the treatment they received in the 1960s and 1970s.
“We can’t change what happened then, but we can help veterans now,” he said. “Today’s military people are some of the finest examples of what’s good about our country, they are educated, smart, talented, very tech savvy and very dedicated,” he said.
Leary talked about his experience flying helicopters during the war and the difficult times faced by all the soldiers when they returned.
“In general flying is a very pleasurable and fun experience, but in Vietnam that pleasure was overcome by emotions from the euphoria when we succeeded to the abyss of despair when we did not,” he said.
Leary used a quote from World War II Medal of Honor winner Vernon J. Baker to describe his feelings about the war.
“Baker said ‘Those who rush to launch combat, and those who seek to create heroes from it, should remember war’s legacy. You have to be there to appreciate its horrors and die to forget them,’” he said.
“The abilities that we have and the inabilities that we have are a result of our experiences as we grew up. During the war some of us had to grow up too fast, others didn’t get the chance,” Leary said.
Tyrell said the event is held in honor of those veterans who did not have a chance to grow up and come home.
“All of the names on this monument are of people who were from Springfield, who had families here and left a tear in society when they were killed. Every year we hold this ceremony to commemorate their service,” Tyrell said.