Charlie Breitrose
Town Council President Mark Sideris, left, and Town Manager Michael Driscoll hold the sign showing Watertown is a Purple Heart Town.
Watertown has a long history of military service stretches back to George Washington’s time, and the town has more than 40 Purple Heart recipients – the medal honoring those injured or killed in combat. Several of them were on hand Tuesday evening, along with family members of many others, for the ceremony recognizing the town as a Purple Heart Community.
“We are here to honor all of those who sacrificed for their country and were killed or wounded in combat,” said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Mark Comeiro, during the ceremony next to Town Hall in Saltonstall Park.
One of those honored was 89-year-old Henry Mosca, who was hit by shrapnel while serving in the Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He wore his medal to the ceremony.
“I don’t show (the Purple Heart) it off. There are a lot of things I’d like to forget,” Mosca said.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown’s Henry Mosca, right, received his Purple Heart for an injury during the Battle of the Bulge.
He was proud to wear the medal Tuesday night.
“I like this,” he said. “It is great for people to appreciate what we did.”
Albert Iodice, died in March, but he would have loved the ceremony, said his son Tom.
“My father lived for this,” said Iodice, who recently retired after 40 years on the Watertown Fire Department.
Charlie Breitrose
Watertown’s Purple Heart recipients pose for a photo after the ceremony marking the town becoming a Purple Heart Community.
Iodice served in the Army during World War II and was injured while crossing the Rapido River in Italy, near Montecassino, Italy, Tom said. He was taken captive by the Germans and was a prisoner of war for more than a dozen months. After returning home to Watertown, he participated in veterans events, and was a commander of the Watertown Veteran’s of Foreign Wars. He also attended events for POWs in Boston, Tom said.
Becoming a Purple Heart Town
Comeiro came to the town earlier this year, and one of the initiatives he brought forward was to make Watertown a Purple Heart Community. Now, every Aug. 7, Watertown will recognize Purple Heart day, said Town Council President Mark Sideris.
“We will encourage residents and businesses to display the American Flag,” Sideris said.
Charlie Breitrose
The color guards from the Marine Corps League Shutt Detachment, Watertown Police Department, and Watertown Fire Department prepare for the Purple Heart ceremony.
State Rep. Jonathan Hecht, speaking on behalf of the Watertown Legislative caucus – himself, State Sen. Will Brownsberger and State Rep. John Lawn – brought legislative proclamation to mark the day. He said the honor befits the town.
“Watertown has a long tradition of answering the call of duty, all the way back to Revolutionary days,” Hecht said. “Which is why I feel it is appropriate that Watertown be a Purple Heart Town. I thank the Town Council and veteran’s agent to take the step to become a Purple Heart town.”
Charlie Breitrose
The sun sets after the ceremony marking Watertown being named a Purple Heart Community.
History of the Purple Heart
The Purple Heart has a history goes back to an 1782, when General George Washington created an award to honor the merit of his soldiers during Revolutionary War, according to the the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor web site. After the war, it was forgotten until the 20th Century when efforts were made to restore it.
In 1932, the Purple Heart was created on the bicentennial of Washington’s Birth as a medal of merit. In 1942, it became a medal for those wounded in battle, after the creation of the Legion of Merit award was created.
i think this is awsome