Qi Xu Photo
Gertz, at left, speaks at Sunday’s cermeony.
Two soldiers who died fighting in the Vietnam War were remembered at New Haven’s Long Wharf Vietnam Veterans Memorial Sunday in a Memorial Day ceremony as examples of what our country needs more of: “real heroes.”
Veteran Joseph Sorrentino made that point in the ceremony held by the monument by the harbor off Long Wharf Drive.
At the ceremony, which marked the 148th Memorial Day, retired army Colonel Kenneth Gertz read names inscribed on the V‑shaped monument, and family members of dead soldiers stepped up to lay flowers. A wreath-laying ceremony ensued, followed by a playing of taps. Representatives from the city of New Haven, New Haven Elks Lodge 25, and the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart partook in the ceremony. The service ended in the singing of “God Bless America.”
The service was held in front of the V-shaped, 11-foot-tall Vietnam Wall monument.
Sorrentino, retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel of the Connecticut Air National Guard, addressed a crowd of 40 at the ceremony. He cited two examples of individuals who “have answered the nation’s call”: Marine Private First Class Gary Martini and Corporal Jerry Wickam. Both fell in the Vietnam War and were awarded Medal of Honor.
“Americans need real heroes today, just as we needed them throughout history,” Sorrentino said in remarks at the event. “They remind us of why we fight, and inspire us to protect our values, ideas and freedom that they died for.”
Sorrentino stressed that it is important to remember those who died in service to this nation, and ensure that they did not die in vain, even for a battle as unpopular as the Vietnam War.
“By now most Americans recognize that we got it wrong in not acknowledging the courage, the valor and the commitment of the men and women of our armed forces who fought in an unpopular war,” Sorrentino said. “It’s important, because as hard as all-consuming war is, we cannot forget its aftermath: broken bodies, broken minds, and the broken families that require the continued attention of a grateful nation.”
It was Sorrentino’s first time participating in the annual Memorial Day observance. He served for almost three decades in the army and fought in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Arabian Gulf. He called the Sunday service a humbling and heart-wrenching experience.
The service reminded him of the ceremonies held for soldiers who died in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq when their bodies were transferred back to America. Sorrentino described the scene to the Independent: a weapon, a helmet on top of the weapon, a casket, and an American flag draped over the casket.
“I can’t explain it. It was heartbreaking,” Sorrentino said of the memory.
Barbara Duel was one of the family members of the fallen soldiers. Her brother, Private First Class Edward K Duel, died in the Vietnam War on Oct 21, 1968, just a few days after he turned 20 and only 21 days after arriving in Vietnam. Edward Duel is a recipient of Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
Beside the monument was a stone erected by the Military Order of the Purple Heart, dedicated to soldiers wounded in wars.
Duel said she is glad to know that her brother is remembered after all these years, along with others who fought and fell in the war. She added that the occasion reminded people that freedom is free, but bought by lives.
Duel, who has attended the service every year, said this year’s turnout was particularly large compared to the past.
Charles P Gallagher is also an annual participant of the observance. Now a 90-year-old representative from the Purple Heart — a military decoration awarded those wounded or killed while serving — Gallagher fought in the Battle of Leyte in the Philippines during World War II, when he was 19.
Gallagher reminisced about “a different era,” when women volunteers drove airplanes and risked their lives at the battlefield. He called it “humbling” to pay respect to the nation’s fallen heroes.
The one-hour service was special for every audience member present, but particularly so for those who fought in the Vietnam War and survived. Victor Binkoski, a Distinguished Service Cross recipient, was one of them. Binkoski said the occasion is sad for someone who fought alongside the comrades who gave their lives for the nation.
“I never liked the term ‘Happy Memorial Day,’ because there is nothing to be happy about this day,” Binkoski said.
The crowd by the water Sunday.
Like Duel and Gallagher, Binkoski has attended the service annually. He served on the committee originally tasked with building the Vietnam War monument.
Binkoski added that hardly attended the service a few years ago, and that the crowd has grown larger over the years. People are remembering.
Thank you to all who served and those involved in this service. Know Victor well a real hero who doesn't want to be called a hero Thanks to all who continue to help vets. The VA in WH did a great job with my brother who served and passed in later yrs with many PTSD issues. Thanks to all who help