L-R: Patrick Robitaille receives the Purple Heart coin from Bill Kligel using a surreptitious handshake during a ceremony at the American Legion hall in Acushnet on Saturday, 8/26/23. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The town of Acushnet recognized individual Purple Heart recipients at a ceremony on 8/26/23 at the American Legion in Acushnet. The event was originally planned to take place at the Veterans Memorial, but was moved indoors due to the threat of rain.
American Legion Commander Mike Jenney emceed the proceedings, telling the approximately 30 people there that August 7 is Purple Heart day, created by President George Washington for those killed in action,. It was expanded to include anyone injured.
Cmdr. Jenney said without the service of our military, we would not enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today.
Selectboard chairperson Kevin Gaspar kept it short, saying he was honored to be there.
“Thank you very much for your service and your sacrifice to our country,” said Mr. Gaspar.
Veteran Bill Kligel said the coin being presented was presented in the field, so there is a secretive way to hand it over. He said the presenter would put his thumb over the coin so no one could see it if they were watching from afar, and then he would shake hands with the recipient, who would take the coin, drop it in his pocket and then salute.
He presented the coins in that manner to the Purple Heart recipients in the room including Roger Fredette, Mike Janson, and Patrick Robitaille.
Acushnet American Legion Commander Mike Jenney speaks during a ceremony to present coins to Purple Heart recipients at the Legion hall on Saturday, 8/26/23. Photo by Beth David.
Cmdr Jenney admitted they did not even know the number of Purple Heart recipients in Acushnet.
“We’re asking for information from the public,” said Cmdr. Jenney, adding he did not want anyone to be forgotten.
“Veterans take care of veterans,” said Mr. Kligel, encouraging anyone who knows a Purple Heart recipient to let them know, even if they are not Acushnet residents.
“We are all brothers and sisters of the same cause,” said Mr. Kligel. “Let’s not forget each other.”
Gil Mastera, a veteran who drove from New Hampshire to be there, reminded everyone that 22 veterans a day die by suicide.
Deven Robitaille, the commander at the Acushent VFW said she loved hearing about traditions she did not know about.
“I hear your traditions,” she said to the older veterans in the room. “It is my duty to pass on your traditions.”
L-R: Rick Janson receives the Purple Heart coin from Bill Kligel using a surreptitious handshake during a ceremony at the American Legion hall in Acushnet on Saturday, 8/26/23. Photo by Beth David.
She said 22 veterans is too much.
Louise Quintin, who is a Gold Star sister, said her brother was killed in Vietnam, so she was there for him.
“If he wasn’t killed in Vietnam, he’d be here,” she said.
Rick Janson, who received a coin, said it “means a helluva lot to me.”
The town has the following list of Purple Heart recipients who will receive coins. If you know of anyone who should be on the list, contact the Select Board office at 508-998-0200: Barry Alves, Raymond Barlow, James Ferro, Roger Fredette, Rick Janson, Leonard Picanso Jr., Patrick Robitaille.
The ceremony will be available on demand for viewing on the town’s YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/3p5h38fx. It had not been uploaded by press time.
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