thedrifter
11-11-08, 08:27 AM
Veterans speak to teens
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
GHS
Posted Nov 11, 2008 @ 12:59 AM
FRANKLIN —
Holding up a treasured "Eisenhower jacket," the Marines issued him while he served, World War II veteran George Barry explained to Milford High School juniors and seniors yesterday that he "couldn't wait" to serve.
"We were at war, the Second World War, the (Japanese) ... bombed Pearl Harbor," he said.
With shortages of many items, almost everyone strove to help the war effort by collecting for recycling drives, and by serving in the armed forces, he said. "It was, you give - you're supposed to. We're all in this together," he said.
"I felt very proud being able to help the Marines," he said.
Serving was mandatory, he said, "but I didn't look at it that way. I couldn't wait to serve."
"I was torn, because I had a girlfriend ... but I had this patriotic thing in my soul," so he joined the Marine Corps, he said.
Yesterday, Barry and 40 fellow Milford World War II and Korean War veterans told the students about the pride, memories and lifelong friendships they gained during their military service, following a Veterans Day breakfast put on by the high school.
"We're trying to do more in our efforts to get our students involved with civic responsibility and civic activity. We think it's an important part of their education," said Principal John Brucato.
"It's important they remember and not just have a day off," Brucato said.
Lives have been lost and continue to be lost in foreign wars, Brucato told students at yesterday's presentation.
"You need to give them your respect today," he said.
Rep. John V. Fernandes, D-Milford, paid tribute to the veterans yesterday and encouraged students to give them respect.
He commended school officials for putting the program together.
"We live in a time when the call to service is one we follow voluntarily, even though we've been in war for seven years. That's absolutely unheard of in the history of our nation and in our world, and it can create an environment where people can miss what is (sacrificed by soldiers), because we don't feel it every day," Fernandes said.
He emphasized that students should "realize the importance of Veterans Day. If you think about the most frightening thing you've ever done in your life, you can't even come close to the emotion these men and women have experienced in their lives.".
"I'm thinking about all the guys we left behind, including three of my closest friends," said Mike Ruscitti, a Korean War veteran who served from 1951-1952 in the 40th Infantry Division.
"We were all kids, for Christ's sake," said Ruscitti, later adding, "We can all attest - freedom isn't free. I think that motto started in the Korean War."
Sitting beside him at the breakfast, fellow Korean War and World War II veteran Joe Murzycki interjected, "We don't think we should be in Iraq."
Murzycki, who fought during the invasion of Normandy while serving from 1942 to 1945, and then again in the Korean War, explained his role in the service.
"I took these guys over and brought them back," he said, referring to the table full of Korean War veterans.
Even though the invasion took place more than 50 years ago, Murzycki, who was a machinist mate (who ran the ship's engine), still remembers it very well, he said.
"If anyone has seen the picture, 'Saving Private Ryan,' the first part was pretty true," Murzycki said.
Louis Arcudi remembered being wounded in the Korean War while serving as a rifleman for the First Marine Division, Fifth Regiment, but it's not something he likes to talk about, he said.
"I got hurt bad over there," he said, "I'm 100 percent disabled."
Douglas DeDoming, another Korean War veteran who served in the Army Infantry, First Calvary Division in 1950, said he also spends Veterans Day reflecting on the friends he lost in war.
"I was fortunate enough to make it. Prayers and church, that's all (I do). It's fairly hard, you think too much," DeDoming said.
Commander of the Italian American Veterans Post Peter Costello, who served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1952 as a medical administrative specialist, commented, "We did the job we were supposed to do, that's it."
World War II veteran Joe Greska, who was a sergeant in the the Third Army Division in Germany from 1944 to 1946, was not focused on his service yesterday, he said.
"I want to thank the people for what they do for the GIs. It touches our heart what they do, sending money and packages (to soldiers)," Greska said.
Ellie
By Joyce Kelly/Daily News staff
GHS
Posted Nov 11, 2008 @ 12:59 AM
FRANKLIN —
Holding up a treasured "Eisenhower jacket," the Marines issued him while he served, World War II veteran George Barry explained to Milford High School juniors and seniors yesterday that he "couldn't wait" to serve.
"We were at war, the Second World War, the (Japanese) ... bombed Pearl Harbor," he said.
With shortages of many items, almost everyone strove to help the war effort by collecting for recycling drives, and by serving in the armed forces, he said. "It was, you give - you're supposed to. We're all in this together," he said.
"I felt very proud being able to help the Marines," he said.
Serving was mandatory, he said, "but I didn't look at it that way. I couldn't wait to serve."
"I was torn, because I had a girlfriend ... but I had this patriotic thing in my soul," so he joined the Marine Corps, he said.
Yesterday, Barry and 40 fellow Milford World War II and Korean War veterans told the students about the pride, memories and lifelong friendships they gained during their military service, following a Veterans Day breakfast put on by the high school.
"We're trying to do more in our efforts to get our students involved with civic responsibility and civic activity. We think it's an important part of their education," said Principal John Brucato.
"It's important they remember and not just have a day off," Brucato said.
Lives have been lost and continue to be lost in foreign wars, Brucato told students at yesterday's presentation.
"You need to give them your respect today," he said.
Rep. John V. Fernandes, D-Milford, paid tribute to the veterans yesterday and encouraged students to give them respect.
He commended school officials for putting the program together.
"We live in a time when the call to service is one we follow voluntarily, even though we've been in war for seven years. That's absolutely unheard of in the history of our nation and in our world, and it can create an environment where people can miss what is (sacrificed by soldiers), because we don't feel it every day," Fernandes said.
He emphasized that students should "realize the importance of Veterans Day. If you think about the most frightening thing you've ever done in your life, you can't even come close to the emotion these men and women have experienced in their lives.".
"I'm thinking about all the guys we left behind, including three of my closest friends," said Mike Ruscitti, a Korean War veteran who served from 1951-1952 in the 40th Infantry Division.
"We were all kids, for Christ's sake," said Ruscitti, later adding, "We can all attest - freedom isn't free. I think that motto started in the Korean War."
Sitting beside him at the breakfast, fellow Korean War and World War II veteran Joe Murzycki interjected, "We don't think we should be in Iraq."
Murzycki, who fought during the invasion of Normandy while serving from 1942 to 1945, and then again in the Korean War, explained his role in the service.
"I took these guys over and brought them back," he said, referring to the table full of Korean War veterans.
Even though the invasion took place more than 50 years ago, Murzycki, who was a machinist mate (who ran the ship's engine), still remembers it very well, he said.
"If anyone has seen the picture, 'Saving Private Ryan,' the first part was pretty true," Murzycki said.
Louis Arcudi remembered being wounded in the Korean War while serving as a rifleman for the First Marine Division, Fifth Regiment, but it's not something he likes to talk about, he said.
"I got hurt bad over there," he said, "I'm 100 percent disabled."
Douglas DeDoming, another Korean War veteran who served in the Army Infantry, First Calvary Division in 1950, said he also spends Veterans Day reflecting on the friends he lost in war.
"I was fortunate enough to make it. Prayers and church, that's all (I do). It's fairly hard, you think too much," DeDoming said.
Commander of the Italian American Veterans Post Peter Costello, who served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1952 as a medical administrative specialist, commented, "We did the job we were supposed to do, that's it."
World War II veteran Joe Greska, who was a sergeant in the the Third Army Division in Germany from 1944 to 1946, was not focused on his service yesterday, he said.
"I want to thank the people for what they do for the GIs. It touches our heart what they do, sending money and packages (to soldiers)," Greska said.
Ellie