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Overdue
Medals Awarded |
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March 25, 2001 As cancer, believed caused by exposure to Agent Orange, slowly took the life of Veteran Ron Palladino, medals earned during his two tours of Viet Nam had not arrived - until today. Like many Viet Nam Veterans, Ron Palladino was fighting battles long after he left the service. The toughest one, against cancer, finally took his life last year, and while the honors came too late, his family took solace in the fact that so many Veterans continued the fight to bring Ron's medals home. Ron had many friends in the Veterans' community here in Suffolk. Friends who fought to win him disability benefits for his family, and who helped them when illness and loss of income became daily battles. Friends who gathered this day to see his wife and children presented with medals earned during his tours in Viet Nam. The medals, long overdue, were presented before dozens of friends and family members at the VFW in St. James.
Mike Brady, a fellow Veteran and close friend of Ron's organized the gathering at the St. James Post of the Veterans of Foreign War. A fierce advocate for Veterans on LI, he watched as Grucci presented each medal in turn to Ron's widow, Dale, as their chidlren looked on. "It's almost a year since we lost Ron," Brady said. "We had hoped to get this done wihle he was still with us." Dick Woltman, who also served in the 1st Infantry Division - the Big Red 1 - as Palladino, identified each medal for the guests -- marksmanship, sharp-shooter, Viet Nam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal and Combat Infantry Badge. Grucci also presented the family with a U.S. Flag which had flown above the Capitol in Ron's honor. "The medals are symbols of our country's gratitude," Grucci said. Calling the gathering "bitter-sweet," because Ron passed away before the medals arrived, NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright said he was honored to have gotten to know Ron. "It's good to know the nation can depend on people like Ron Paladino, who step forward to defend the greatest nation in the world."
NY Giant, Tiki Barber, Richard Couch, American Cancer Society Director of Advocacy and Lisa Ihne, celebrate the American Cancer Society's art/sports memorabilia auction in Patchogue on March 23. The benefit, a tribute to Ihne's grandmother, Else Palmer, who had cancer will fund research education, advocacy and patient services. Click
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(Three
of Ron's grand-daughters
Former
Congressman Mike Forbes began the quest to secure Ron's medals and
Congressman Felix Grucci, who now represents the district was on hand to
make the presentation.
