Joseph Michael D'Angelico was born on 4 September, 1948. He was a remarkable young man who has been described as
a "loving free spirit," with an unsurpassed "zest for life..." While in high school, Joey was an outstanding student-athlete
who especially excelled in basketball. He is remembered as an outstanding player and was the Captain of his varsity
team.
Unlike too many of us, Joe D'Angelico was a serious student. He earned excellent marks in school and was a member
of the National Honor Society. One of his close friends at Ft. Edward High described Joey as being "extremely intelligent,
well-rounded, and a well-liked individual." Dawna Sipowicz wrote of Joey: "I was only one of many girls who fell
in love with this beautiful boy at first sight..." "Every time the phone rings late at night, I think it might be him."
When she thinks of Joey, Dawna says, "I think of him often and optimistically wonder, 'what if?"
Some fail to understand why this young man, with bright prospects for the future, would risk it all to go into harm's way.
Michael Nadeau, a high school buddy of Joey's, writes, "The last time I saw Joey before he went to Vietnam, I was walking
by Chris Murray's bar on East Street, when Joe came out to ask me if I wanted to have a farewell drink with him..."
"I was shocked," Nadeau says, "Joe had gone to a big university in Missouri and had been exempt from the military."
Sadly, Nadeau never saw Joey again. He says, "I never forgot what a nice guy and good soul he was."
Stories like Joey's were repeated all over the United States during the Sixties and Seventies. So many fine young
men's lives were squandered in a conflict that the American government lacked the will to win. Unfortunately, Hollywood
has portrayed too many Vietnam veterans as drug addicts, crazed killers, and societal pariahs. Nothing could be further
from the truth! Most veterans -- throughout our nation's history -- have returned home to become productive members
of society.
Our greatest shame as a nation is the way that the returning Vietnam veterans were treated at home. Recently, protestors
in Washington, DC, spat on returning troops from the struggle in Iraq. Vowing to "never again" have our returning boys
and girls be treated in such a shameful manner, men like our friend Dan Marvin -- Joey D'Angelico's brother-in-law -- have
dedicated themselves to honoring and showing respect to all who have safely returned -- many grieviously wounded -- and
to many who are galliantly trying to put their lives back together. To this end, Dan is active in the leadership of
the Patriot Guard Riders and various other asunder veterans organizations.
The national press and the so-called Hollywood elite are doing everything that they possibly can to distort the truth about
events in Iraq and the conduct of our troops in that festered region. There is no lie so great that they will not
embrace and spread it to justify their ends. The recent congressional elections have emboldened critics of the war and
cowed the former majority. They have lost their collective will, they fear political defeat, and they have become like
rats fleeing a sinking ship. It's become a mad scramble, egged on by the likes of "Jihad Jane" Fonda, Michael Moore,
Tim Robbins, Sean Penn, and Susan Sarandon.
But, for today, we would like to pause to honor Joseph M. D'Angelico -- a brave and patriotic American -- who rose to his
nation's defense in another time and another distant place. It is because of those like Joey, young Americans who gave
of themselves, who became forever young, and whose memories were swept aside by so many of their own countrymen, that good
men and women must stand in opposition to the protestors. Joey, and all others who have served, deserve better treatment
from their fellow citizens and from history. There is a kind of "Survivor's Guilt" that many who returned from
Vietnam share. Most veterans are determined that our troops must never again be treated so shamefully.
On Christmas Day, 1969, the men of Bravo Company were positioned along the Landing Zone called "San Juan Hill."
Through the end of the year and the beginning of 1970, Joey D'Angelico's unit was engaged in various operations
to preserve the tenuous American hold on this strategically important outpost. Pressure from North Vietnamese Regulars
and local VC was near constant, both night and day.
After New Year's Day, it became obvious that the communists were going to mount an all-out effort to dislodge the Americans.
From one account: "On the 2nd of January at 1455 hours, "B" Company, 4/3 11th LIB... moved to Hill 285 preparing to
secure the hill as an artillery position. The artillery position was needed to support the 11th LIB southern operations...
south of the village of Duc Pho." "A quick perimeter was set up with foxholes, claymore mines, and trip flares."
"At 2330 hours all hell broke loose." "They came under heavy grenade and ground attack. The outer perimeter
had been breached..." and the "NVA was able to get to within a few yards of the 1st and 2nd platoon's positions." The
attack continued well into the morning and afternoon for 3 January. It wasn't until after 0520 hours that the communist
forces finally abandoned the field of battle.
We do not have the record of Joey D'Angelico's final moments. One account reads simply, "On January 2,
1970, at the age of 21, JOSPEH MICHAEL D'ANGELICO perished in the service of our country in South Vietnam, Quang Ngai."
One American veteran, whose father was a Commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade, wrote these poignant words, "On behalf
of my dad, I apologize that he failed to achieve his goal to bring Joey home safely. I have visited THE WALL with my
father on many occassions." Offering his deep regrets and eternal sadness to his daughter-in-law, the
Colonel explained, amid copious tears, "I failed in bringing soldiers home safe to their mothers and fathers...
So many years later and the pain still exists..."
After World War II, a young man asked his grandfather, "Poppa, were you a hero in the war?" The wisened old man replied
simply, "No, Son, I wasn't, but I served with heroes." Joey D'Angelico, like so many of our troops, will always be a
hero to those who had the honor of serving with him. Joey, and every American whose name is listed on the Vietnam Wall,
should be heroes to all Americans, veterans and civilians alike. America owes its freedoms and its proud position
in the world to men such as he. God bless America, and God bless the memory of Joey D'Angelico.
Mary & Dan, we offer this tribute to your brother, our brother, a Great American. May you have peace in the knowledge
that, while Joey rests eternally, his memory is still honored and cherished by so many of us who never even knew him.
While we were not ourselves heroes, we are blessed that we know of men like Joey who were.
