Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Subscriber Login
SpotlightNews
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Community
    • Covid-19 Updates
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
  • Classifieds
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber LogIn
    • Join us – Subscribe Today
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Community
    • Covid-19 Updates
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Obituaries
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
  • Classifieds
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber LogIn
    • Join us – Subscribe Today
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Spotlight News
No Result
View All Result
Home Towns Colonie

Never forgotten: Town of Colonie holds Memorial Day ceremony honoring Vietnam vets, 50 years after that war began

Ali Hibbs by Ali Hibbs
May 27, 2016
in Colonie, Milestones, News, Towns
0
Never forgotten: Town of Colonie holds Memorial Day ceremony honoring Vietnam vets, 50 years after that war began
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
vetmem flag
Patriot Guard Rider Elizabeth Aloisi holds an American flag Photo: Gene Loparco

[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]C[/dropcap]OLONIE – Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Town of Colonie officials, service members, veterans and residents gathered at the Colonie Veterans Memorial at The Crossings on Albany Shaker Road in Loudonville on Wednesday, May 25 to pay tribute Vietnam-era veterans and those who died in service to their country.

“When our generation came home from Vietnam, we weren’t welcomed home like we are today,” said Tom Regan, founder of Operation: Please Remember Me, a community project that memorializes fallen veterans each year with a motorcade and the hundreds of American flags that are now hanging from telephone poles on Loudon Road—each representing ten fallen soldiers. Those who were lucky enough to return from Vietnam, said Regan, faced ridicule and scorn. “It wasn’t a very pretty time in our country.”

Regan began Please Remember Me as a way to honor friends that he lost in action half a decade ago—friends that he still misses. “They were great friends of mine,” he said. “I lost four right out of high school. Young men who volunteered to go to war for their country. It’s the price of freedom, you know. People need to remember that.”

vetmem steck
Assemblyman Steck addresses Colonie residents and veterans. / Photo: Gene Loparco

“They acknowledged us Vietnam combat veterans,” said Gene Loparco, a close friend of Regan and charter member of Please Remember Me, as well as a host of other veteran organizations. Loparco was recently recognized by the office of the Albany County Executive Dan McCoy for the work he does to benefit local veterans. “They presented us with pins,” he said. “Supervisor [Paula]  Mahan gave a nice speech and Assemblyman [Phil] Steck showed up and said some words. There was a firing squad from the Tri-County Council of Vietnam Era Veterans and a POW/MIA table that Jerry Perry, from American Legion Post 1520, had the honor of explaining what all of the items represented.” 

vetmem table
Vietnam POW/MIA display table. / Photo: Gene Loparco

The invocation and benediction were given by Reverend Charlene Robbins. “She’s a Gold Star mother,” said Loparco, referring to a designation given to the families of those who have been lost in combat. Wreaths were presented at the Colonie Veterans Memorial by the Latham-Colonie Knights of Columbus, the town’s Colonie Veterans Memorial Committee, American Legion Posts 8692 and 1520 and the US Marines. Patriotic songs were sung by the Colonie Village Singers, the Fort Crailo Yankee Doodle Band played taps and the names of new memorial bricks were read.

vetmem Regan Mahan
Tom Regan and Supervisor Paula Mahan. / Photo: Gene Loparco

“As it turned out,” said John LaFalce, a US Navy Vietnam vet, “Vietnam was THE defining event for what is still the largest generation of Americans. It divided our country in as many ways as the Civil War did 100 years earlier. The division will be felt for as long as the division exists. This commemoration tonight is to recognize and honor those who served in that conflict.”

The Town of Colonie Veterans Memorial was unveiled in 2009 and honors all the servicemen and women from the town, alive or dead—the names of Colonie veterans are inscribed on stone pavers placed in front of the memorial. Additionally, the town has a Veterans Memorial Committee and has undertaken to build a historical database of town veterans that is searchable by name, conflict or branch of service.

“It was an honor to participate in the Town of Colonie wreath-laying ceremony and to recognize the contribution of our veterans,” said New York State Assemblyman Phillip Steck (D-110). “We work together with veterans on many issues such as supporting state pensions for veterans and attempting to get state funding to veterans’ organizations.  This is also a special anniversary for Vietnam veterans.  Because Vietnam was a controversial war, those who served there deserve special commendation for their perseverance.”

Anyone who would like to add the name of a local veteran is encouraged to contact the Colonie Veterans Project. More info can be found at: www.colonie.org/vetproject/

– Ali Hibbs

vetmem soldiers

vetmem singers

vetmem1

vetmem crowd
All photos by Gene Loparco

Share this to twitter or facebook:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Tags: Colonie Veterans MemorialGene LoparcoMemorial DayPlease Remember MeThe CrossingsTom ReganVietnam
Previous Post

Town, Police union end labor dispute

Next Post

Jody Monroe sworn in as superintendent: Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education members vote unanimously to approve appointment

Next Post
Jody Monroe sworn in as superintendent: Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education members vote unanimously to approve appointment

Jody Monroe sworn in as superintendent: Bethlehem Central School District Board of Education members vote unanimously to approve appointment

Leave Comment

Stay Connected with Us

  • 7.1k Fans
  • 4.6k Fans
  • 609 Fans
  • 357 Subscribers

Recent News

Shaker grad writes her first novel

Shaker grad writes her first novel

March 3, 2021
Bethlehem DPW official arrested for alleged cocaine possession

Bethlehem GOP names candidates

March 3, 2021
Medical office building moves forward in Colonie

Medical office building moves forward in Colonie

March 3, 2021
Stewart’s Shops files lawsuit against Voorheesville for moratorium, rezoning

There’s no question, Stewart’s Shops allowed to sell gas on lot

March 3, 2021

Hot Stories This Week

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
UPDATED (w/video): Police investigating break-ins in Delmar neighborhoods

UPDATED (w/video): Police investigating break-ins in Delmar neighborhoods

February 22, 2021

Johnathan testifies; Porco brothers don’t look at each other

July 26, 2006
SPOTTED: Shaker and Guilderland wrestlers kick off season

SPOTTED: Shaker and Guilderland wrestlers kick off season

February 24, 2021
Farmland forever: Conservation easement in the works for Lansing’s Farm (w/photo gallery)

Lansing Farm in Colonie will stay a farm

February 24, 2021
Shaker grad writes her first novel

Shaker grad writes her first novel

March 3, 2021
Bethlehem DPW official arrested for alleged cocaine possession

Bethlehem GOP names candidates

March 3, 2021
Medical office building moves forward in Colonie

Medical office building moves forward in Colonie

March 3, 2021
Stewart’s Shops files lawsuit against Voorheesville for moratorium, rezoning

There’s no question, Stewart’s Shops allowed to sell gas on lot

March 3, 2021
Spotlight News

Spotlight News, The Spot 518 and Capital District Family Now are divisions of Community Media Group, LLC. Our local offices are located at 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. You can contact us at 518.439.4949.

Browse

Follow Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact the Editor
  • Employment
  • Our Team
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2021 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Spotlight On Business
    • Spotlight on Finance
  • Sports
  • The Spot 518
  • Hot Spots Calendar
  • Opinion
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • Classifieds
    • Advertiser Login

© 2021 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949