Washington, DC
SPRINGFIELD – City veteran Joseph Gucciardi said his colleagues in the Veterans Services office learned that he had received a Purple Heart award in the mail, decided that would not suffice and went ahead to “plan a big to-do.”
The big to-do came Tuesday as nearly 50 people gathered for a Purple Heart pinning ceremony at City Hall, including representatives of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
“I’m very appreciative of them recognizing me today,” said Gucciardi, a resident of Springfield. “I hope I can just give back to the community and maybe one day work for the V.A., and help disabled veterans.”
U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and Brian Willette, commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Western Mass. Chapter 875, took part in the pinning. Mayor Domenic J. Sarno was represented by his chief of staff, Denise Jordan.
Gucciardi is involved in a work study program with the Springfield Department of Veterans Services under Veterans Services Director Thomas Belton.
“This affair has to get him pumped up,” Belton said. “Because just getting the medal is a big pump. A ceremony like this should really send a message and make him feel he’s in distinguished company.”
Gucciardi sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Kwost Province, Afghanistan in December of 2009, when his mine resistant personnel vehicles was struck by an improvised explosive device in the road that caused a rollover, according to a summary.
Neal praised Gucciardi and the other Purple Heart recipients for their “courage and the valor that you demonstrated on behalf of the United States.” The recipients acted “in different generations, making sure that America’s principals and ideals were duly honored,” he said.
Willette said it was a great honor for all the Purple Heart recipients to be there, from the regional chapter and from east of the region.
The order’s motto is “All gave some. Some gave all.”
Richard J. Tyrell, chairman of the Springfield Veterans Activities Committee, said he was pleased to join in the ceremony for an award “that no one wishes to get but it’s an award that shows they made sacrifices on behalf of all of us so we can have what we have here at home.”
Police Commissioner John Barbieri, Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant and City Councilor Thomas Ashe were among attendees.
Jordan commended Gucciardi as a veteran who continues to serve the contry as a member of the Army Reserve and working in the city’s veterans office.
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces who are wounded or killed in action, according to the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
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