Easthampton marks Memorial Day by remembering sacrifices, handing out Medals of Liberty

EASTHAMPTON — In early 1969, Easthampton residents Cpl. Donald M. Ashton Jr. and Chief Warrant Officer George F. Lapan were killed in action while serving in the Army during the Vietnam War.

On Monday, at the city’s Memorial Day ceremony on the green between the Veterans Memorial and the Emily Williston Library, family members of both men were on hand to be presented Medals of Liberty, the highest honor bestowed on soldiers from Massachusetts who have died while in service to the United States.

“It’s a great privilege to receive the Medal of Liberty,” said Mary Jane Fausel, who received the medal on behalf of Ashton, her brother. Ashton was 19 when he died on Feb. 11, 1969, shot while leading his 4th Infantry Division through the jungle in Pleiku. “It’s been 60 years, but it’s a great honor,” she said.

Accepting for her brother Lapan, who was 34 when he died in a helicopter crash in Binh Duong on Jan. 16, 1969, was his older sister Elizabeth “Betty” Banach. “It’s an honor to be here,” Banach said.

For Army Lt. Col. Chad Cormier, who presented the Medals of Liberty at Easthampton’s event, Memorial Day is an opportunity for a “solemn remembrance and deep gratitude” for those who have died in service to the United States. But Cormier said it’s important to also talk about the burden carried by the families of the fallen.

“Elizabeth and Mary Jane, this reflects the courage you carry and the devotion to country of your brothers’ legacies,” Cormier said.

Ashton and Lapan are among five soldiers from the city who lost their lives between Dec. 4, 1967 and Feb. 11, 1969. Last September, a Medal of Liberty was presented to the family of Cpl. Bruce W. Monska, who died in 1968 while in the Marine Corps.

Veterans Agent Tom Geryk said the final two Vietnam War casualties from Easthampton were Sgt. Charles J. Robinson, who died in January 1969, and Pfc. John J. Rabideau, who died in December 1967. Both were in the U.S. Army. Geryk said the hope is to identify family members who can accept the Medals of Liberty on behalf of Robinson and Rabideau.

Geryk, as emcee of the event, offered acknowledgment to those who died in service and their families.

“Thanks to the heroes and the Gold Star families, we all have freedom to pursue and become our best selves,” he said.

Following a national anthem performance by the Easthampton High School Band and Pledge of Allegiance led by the high school’s state champion “We The People” civic education group, wreaths were placed for the World War I, World War II , Korean War and Vietnam War monuments, and the American Legion Post 224 firing detail did a three-round volley before taps was played.

The main remarks were then given by state Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, himself a veteran of Army National Guard serving in Afghanistan, citing the importance of not forgetting Memorial Day as the most sacred day on the calendar.

He discussed his last departure from Afghanistan’s Operation Enduring Freedom in 2018 and a mural where a message states “live a life worthy of their sacrifice,” which causes all soldiers to pause and reflect, “I am going home, but some are not.”

Velis also remembered Specialist Delfin Santos, Staff Sgt. Christopher Ward and Army Spc. Wilbel Robles-Santa, who all died after an improvised explosive device went off in April 2013. Velis was among those who carried Robles-Santa’s body to an awaiting Blackhawk helicopter.

For those who would be having cookout or other gathering on the holiday, all the fallen soldiers should never be forgotten.

“Have your burger, have your hot dog, have your beer, have your whatever,” Velis said. “But just remember every single thing you’re having is because of Ward, Robles and Santos, and everyone else.”

“This is a time when we recognize the brave men and women who gave their life to protect our freedom,” said Rep. Homar Gomez, D-Easthampton. “We’re free because others are brave.”

The event concluded with playing of military branch songs and a benediction by the Rev. Ryan Sliwa from Our Lady of the Valley Parish.

Saying thank you

Among those attending the ceremony and viewing the preceding parade was Peggy Britton, of Easthampton. Britton said she remembers the pain for the families and many in the community when three of the five Vietnam War soldiers died during a 35-day span from January to February 1969.

“The hearses were continually coming down the mountain,” Britton said.

Britton said her father was in the Navy, her uncle was a fighter pilot in the Army and a former brother-in-law served in the Army during the Vietnam War.

“This is important,” Britton said. “I don’t want them to be forgotten.”

Theo Cooper, of Easthampton, said she has two grandchildren siblings currently serving in the military: a granddaughter who is a captain in the Army and a grandson in the Navy.

“I wouldn’t miss the parade,” Cooper said.

Born in France, Mireille Mayotte said she has had great respect for the military because of the assistance her nation received against the Nazi invasion during World War II. Later, becoming an American citizen, she said the military has always remained in her mind.

“I am proud because my three children are Army brats,” she said, adding that she has a grandson in the Navy, too.

“I never miss this because I appreciate all the veterans,” Mayotte said. “It’s my way of saying thank you. It’s important to remember what they did for us.”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.