Much has been written about the “greatest generation that ever lived.” Somehow, however, it doesn’t feel like enough, especially for those of us whose family members returned home from war to become quietly ensconced in the day-to-day of living, simply living.
Much has been written about other conflicts and war such as Vietnam, yet again not enough to cover the important roles these former enlisted men and women took on when their country called them into service.
The goal of finding and acknowledging these former service personnel had been one that Ray Hanks, chairman of the town’s Cemetery and Memorial Advisory Committee, brought with him when the committee was established about a year ago. Hanks had assisted a neighboring committee in a similar effort finding it challenging to locate Purple Heart Recipients.
“There isn’t a database of names,” he demurred.
But, through word of mouth and a bit of public relations, the committee did locate local heroes, inviting them and or their families and friends to the ceremony now planned to be an annual event.
The recipients are: Barry A. Alves, Allen H. Bowman, Barry J. Denham, Roger E. Kelley, Edward D. Kinney Jr. and John R. Duff Sr.
They served in places most had never known existed, far away ports of call or beaches, forests, jungles, rice paddies and, in a flash, each would sustain wounds.
History tells us that the Purple Heart, known as the oldest military award, was first established on August 7, 1782, by George Washington. The program which accompanied the event notes, “Washington directed a figure of heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. … Although the award fell out of use after the American Revolution, it reemerged just after the end of the First World War. In 1932, Douglas MacArthur, then the Army chief of staff, reestablished the award, renaming it the Purple Heart.”
Recipients run the gamut, but primarily the Purple Heart is reserved for those who were wounded or killed in action. And time is eroding memories and the people who can tell the stories of these brave souls. Hanks invited the public to help the committee in finding more people to acknowledge.
“We need your help,” he said.
As for the six honorees named on this occasion, several are deceased and their Purple Heart Coins were given to surviving family members. Coins depicting the Purple Heart were pressed into either the recipients’ hands or that of a family member as Hanks repeated, “…on behalf of a grateful nation.”
As solemn as such occasions can be, there were also smiles and handshakes, memories of those now deceased spoken again, keeping memories alive a bit longer.
Some stories were shared, such as that of Denham, who returned home to continue serving his hometown as highway surveyor, businessman and Select Board member. Denham was also the Tri-Towns’ Veterans agent for a number of years, ensuring veterans were receiving all the services they deserve.
To the current Veterans Agent Chris Gerrior, Denham recalled, “…there was an explosion, I was floating in the air, then I landed in a hole made by the improvised device.” Two fellow soldiers ended up in the crater on top of Barry.” Hurt and stunned, they all survived. After assisting in medevacking the soldiers, Denham received treatment for his wounds sustained in the Vietnam conflict.
Hanks said that Alves has received his Purple Heart for saving several wounded comrades from which he was severely injured during the Vietnam conflict.
Allen H. Bowman was killed in action on D-Day. Kelley was wounded during WWII’s Battle of the Bulge. Susan Akin recounted that her father laid close to death, unaided for a day before he was rescued.
Kinney was remembered by life-long resident Dan White as a “down to earth person” from whom he learned many things over the years he was growing up in Mattapoisett village. Kinney was wounded in the Philippines.
Duff came in as a last-minute addition to the celebration, having been sought out for the ceremony but not found. But his granddaughter Keri Duff heard the event was taking place and wanted to ensure that her grandfather, “a wonderful person,” was not overlooked. She was graciously received by the committee and held back tears as she recalled her loved one.
If you have information about a Purple Heart recipient, contact Hanks through the Mattapoisett Select Board office at 508-758-4100, Extension 4.
By Marilou Newell