(MASSLIVE)Nearly 60 years ago, U.S. Army Sgt. Carl L. Glasscock became the first city resident to be killed in the Vietnam War. He would not be the last.
Glasscock, 27, a husband and father of three small children, was killed on Aug. 25, 1966. A total of 14 men followed him. They were 18, 20 and 25; one was a West Point graduate, one was a boxing coach mentor to local kids, and schools bear the names of two others.
Every year, their families, friends and fellow veterans make Memorial Day personal, naming the city’s residents who were killed in that war. Usually the event is held on the eve of the holiday at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Park, where 15 brick pillars are each dedicated to one of the men. This year, it was moved to the Knights of Columbus on Granby Road because of the rain.
This is the 34th year of the event to remember the 15. Despite the time that has passed, families continue to come back to honor their loved ones and the other fallen, said Delfo Barabani Jr., one of the organizers and members of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 111.
“Fifteen people lost their lives, and there are a lot of people who are missing in action, and we need to remember them,” he said.
Coming back from a six-month deployment where he worked on issues of drones and discipline on the southern border, state Sen. John Velis, who is also a major in the Massachusetts National Guard, talked about how badly Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned home and what the country learned from that.
“You should be incredibly proud … the men and women of the Massachusetts National Guard are a huge element down there (and) are doing really really important things on a daily basis,” he said.
Over the past 11 days, everywhere he goes, people have been thanking him for his service, have welcomed him back, some even calling him “awesome.” Those first to do so are Vietnam veterans, who were spat upon and called baby killers where they returned.
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