Recipients of the Purple Heart, their family members, and veterans officials gather for a ceremony to present Purple Heart coins to veterans who earned Purple Hearts or their family members at the Fairhaven Senior Center on 8/7/24. Photo courtesy of Fairhaven Community Media/Public Access TV.
By Beth David, Editor
Veterans Services Officers from Fairhaven and Acushnet presented 19 Purple Heart coins to Purple Heart recipients at a ceremony on Purple Heart Day, 8/7/24, at the Fairhaven Senior Center.
Fairhaven VSO, Mike Jenney, told the crowd of about 50 that the Purple Heart began as the Badge of Miliary Merit in 1782. For years it was forgotten, he said, until Gen. Douglas MacArthur renamed it.
Two years ago, Mr. Jenney and Brad Fish, who was Fairhaven’s VSO, and is now Acushnet’s VSO, decided to something to honor Purple Heart recipients.
Mr. Fish explained the history of the challenge coin and how it was used to save the life of an American soldier in WWI. All of his identifying documents had been stolen by the enemy and he escaped in civilian clothing. He was about to be executed by French soldiers, but one recognized the insignia on his medallion. After that it became a tradition for all unit members to carry a unit coin.
Ret. Army 1st Class William Kligel, who is also a member of the Disabled Veterans, said he was overwhelmed a few years ago to see so many veterans who were unable to tell their stories.
“They just couldn’t bring themselves to remember those they lost and getting respect themselves,” said Mr. Kligel.
He said Vietnam Veteran Bill Moniz was the first to received the Purple Heart coin with his name on it and it brought tears to his eyes. He said it would be buried with him.
Mr. Kligel, Mr. Fish, and Mr. Jenney decided to present the coins to as many recipients as they could.
Mr. Jenney read the names of 19 Purple Heart recipients, and they or their family members accepted the coins.
After the presentation of the coins, several people spoke, mostly to thank the officials for presenting the coins.
Louise Conway Quintin said she accepted the coin for her brother who was killed in 1967.
“This coin means the world to me,” she said, adding it becomes his memory and keeps him alive, thinking about all he did for the country.
She said she will be buried with the coin.
“I may not be a veteran, but I am a veteran in heart,” said Ms. Quintin.
Donette Leblanc, a Marine and member of the DAV, who lost his arm in combat, said he spent 32 years working for the VA, which has its problems, he said.
“But you have to fight and you have to fight and you have to fight,” said Mr. Leblanc, adding he recentlly won a battle that took nine years.
He said his reunion group, which met in DC recently, is dwindling as they get older and pass away. He encouraged people to visit the Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., also known as “8th & I,” the oldest active post in the Marine Corps. He said every Friday night the Marine Corps bands put on an impressive show.
He said it will elicit “goosebumps” for everyone, not only veterans.
Learn more at https://www.barracks.marines.mil
Recipients of the coins were: Albert Audette, Raymond Barlow, Adrien Blain, Henry Blain, Edward Cabra,l John Conway, Steven Drown, Frank Faria, Donat LeBlanc, Gilbert Mastera, Gary Medeiros, Matthew Rodriquez, Rolando Rodriquez, Thomas Tuttle, Christopher Valiquette, Robert Vicente, Edward Patnaude
The entire ceremony is available on FairhavenTV.com and the town’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGZ_t7lh_C0
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