PAX Centurion - September / October 2013

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • September/October 2013 • Page 43 Remembering Our Deceased Veterans and Those Serving By Mark A. Bruno A few years ago a good friend of mine passed away at the age of fifty-two. His name was Frank and he was a Vietnam Veteran. He had four children (all boys) and a devoted wife. He also had many friends which is the reason I decided to write this article. Too often our veterans succumb to untimely deaths. Being involved in combat battle takes its’ toll on our veterans both mentally and physically. The sacri- fices these individuals have made should never be forgotten. Every time we look up at anAmerican Flag we should always say a silent prayer to those soldiers who fought to keep our country free from tyranny. My father was aWWII Veteran who fought in the Pacific aboard the USS Caperton and Bullard. These naval ships were given the assignment of running serpentine in front of the larger carriers in order to deflect any missiles from hidden subs or other vessels. My father kept a diary in which he wrote of some of these heroic battles. He talked about kamikaze airplanes coming in on their ship and how they took them down with machine gun fire. He saw things and lived through some gut wrenching experienc- es. What he took away from this experience would carry on through his life. I remember my father would always get choked up whenever he heard the song “My Buddy.” My mother explained to me it was because he lost a good friend during the war and this song hit a chord with him every time he heard it. I suppose we all have our own songs that have sentimental meanings to us. Anyhow, my dad died at the on the deck of his ship seated on the right side of the Commander. Back to my friend Frank, I remember as a kid growing up in the North End, a party was held for Frank and a couple of his friends prior to them leaving for Vietnam. There was Frank, Mikey, Joey and Billy. I’m sure every neighborhood had such parties. These friends would share some of the most horrible experiences a human could go through. Some of them persevered upon their return while others needed counseling. Add to that the insult of a silent homecoming in which a nation divided could not even pay tribute to these brave forgotten soldiers. What would persevere among Frank and his friends was the camaraderie they had for one another. As I looked around during the wake and funeral at all of Frank’s friends I could see they all shared a time and place which would never be forgotten. It is a place they do not talk about much but is evident by the looks on their faces. Frank’s best friend Joey gave a heart wrenching eulogy. It was a scene reminiscent of The Deer Hunter. Marines were dispatched to the church in order to play Taps and to render the flag folding ceremony. In between the soft crying you could hear a pin drop as the two Marines folded theAmerican Flag end over end while keeping a somber stoic look as Taps were played. One Marine took theAmerican Flag and softly marched in front of the widow where he turned and then leaned in and whispered his condolences and gave thanks on behalf of himself, the United States of America and the entire Marine Corp. He then handed her the folded flag, saluted and marched away. She clutched the flag and wept as did the rest of us. It was a service and ceremony befitting for a King, but reserved for a friend. I just wanted to remember our deceased veterans onVeteran’s Day, and also to thank those who are currently serving in our military, espe- cially our active Boston Police members. May God bless and keep you safe. age of sixty-six and it was my job to order the Veteran’s plaque for his grave. I know the Veteran’s Association goes around to all the cemeteries and places a flag on these marked plaques. These flags are purchased from the sales of the little red poppies which are made by disabled veterans and sold by them and other veterans which is a very noble gesture which means so much. In the picture above, my Dad is