Several Vietnam-era veterans from Bristol were among those honored at the recent Vietnam Veteran Day celebration held at the American Legion Post 165 in Wolcott.
They include the following:
- Reynald R. Ouellette US Marines, 1962 to 1966
- David, Peplau US Army, 1965 to 1967
- John Damn US Air Force 1966 to 1970
- Tan Son Knut Airbase 1968 to 1969 his award was accepted by daughter, Donna Dognin
- Art Ward, Marines, 1968 to 1972 his award was accepted by spouse Pat Ward
- Robert Thomas, US Army, 1973 to 2001
Among the special presentations in honor of veterans from Bristol was the award presented to former Bristol mayor Art Ward and received by his spouse, Pat. A second was presented to Tan Son and received by his daughter, Donna Dognin, the director of the Veterans Strong Community Center.
The Katherine Gaylord Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) partnered with the American Legion, Post 165 in Wolcott to sponsor the event, according to a release by Neal Supranovich, who handles public relations for Bristol’s American Legion, Post 2.
The DAR is an official partner of the Department of Defense 50th Vietnam War Commemoration Program. which is authorized sponsor official Department of Defense (DOD) ceremonies, according to Supranovich.
The morning began with a breakfast partnered with the Patriot’s Day Initiative, funded by local businesses. This was followed by an award ceremony and the reading of a proclamation from the town.
The veterans in attendance received a certificate from the DAR and a DOD Vietnam Pin.
Plans are in the works for a Vietnam Spouses Recognition Day at the Bristol Public Library on May 13.
The following were honored at the ceremony late in March:
- Ray Ali-U. S. Army 1968-1969
- Keith Adams -U.S. Marines 1971-1973
- Anthony Albini (accepted by spouse Charmaine Albini) U.S. Army 1955-1960
- David Beck -U.S. Army 1962-1968
- John Brade -U.S. Air Force 1963-1966
- Lee Brault -U.S. Army 1963-1965
- Ron Bourgoin -U.S. Army 1958-1961 Canadian Service
- Thomas Bodor- U.S. Navy 1963-1967
- Steve Brown -U.S. National Guard 1970-1976
- Michael Cartigano -U.S. Navy 1963-1966
- Bob Coffey U.S. Army 1967-1968 & Reserves 22 years
- John Damm (accepted by Daughter Donna Dognin) U.S. Air Force 1966-1970- Tan Son Nhut Air Base 1968-1969
- Ray Desjardins -U.S. Air Force1963-1967
- Larry Desmarais -U.S. Army 1964-1970 & Reserves 1972-1992
- Donato DiVirgilio -U.S. Army 1971-1973
- Dennis Drzwecki -U.S. Navy 1960-1964
- Rick Eberle -U.S. Navy 1974-1980
- Tim Gamache- U.S. Seabees 1968-1969
- James Gannon- U.S. Air Force 1968-1973
- Jack Giacomi- U.S. Army 1969-1971
- Terrill Goodman (accepted by spouse Flo Goodman) U.S. Army 1968-1970
- George Gomme -U.S. Army 1968-1969
- Frank Guerrera -U.S Army 1962-1964
- Michael A. Kight (accepted by Gold Star Mother Mary Kight) U.S. Army 1965-1967
- Roger Levesque -U.S. Marines 1968-1972
- Eldred Mathieu U.S. Marines 1967-1968
- Keneth McDougald -U.S. Army 1966-1967
- Bob Megaraci -U.S. Army 1971-1972
- Reggie Michaud -U.S. Army 1973-1975
- Jimmy D. Moore -U.S. Air Force 1968-1972
- Brett Muccino -U.S. Army 1969-1978
- James Natale -U.S. Army 1965-1968
- Dave Opotzner -U.S. Coast Guard 1969-1976
- Ray Ouellette -U.S. Marines 1962-1966
- Joe Penta -U.S. Marines 1970-1972
- David Peplau –U.S. Army 1965-1967
- Joseph Pearson U.S. Air Force 1960-1968
- Michael Pearson -U.S. Air Force 1970-1974
- Lou Perugini -U.S. Navy 1959-1966 (Cuban Crisis)
- Robert Pierpont -U.S. Army 1972-1975
- Charles Regan -U.S. Air Force 1966-1970
- Richard Rosselot -U.S. Army 1967-1969
- Joseph Sottosanto -U.S. Army 1968 & National Guard
- Ted Tamowski -U.S. Air Force 1972-1976
- Don Therkildsen -U.S. Air Force 1966-1970
- Robert Thomas -U.S. Army 1973-2001
- Richard Tolomei (accepted by spouse Doris Tolomei) U.S. Army 1958-1964
- Ronald Uricchio -U.S. Army 1968-1971
- Ted Valentino -U.S. National Guard 1966-1972
- Joseph Vaillancourt -U.S. Air Force 1959-1963
- Art Ward (accepted by spouse Pat Ward) U.S. Marines 1968-1972
The list of award recipients were provided by Stacy Perrone-Petta, vice regent of the local DAR chapter.
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