Vietnam War Ends For SFC Gallagher's Family

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HAMDEN — Across town Tuesday, flags were flying at half-staff to honor Sgt. 1st Class John T. Gallagher, who never came home from the Vietnam War.

But at Centerville Cemetery, the flags were gently waving in the breeze as if Gallagher was there, blowing out the candles of his birthday cake and whispering, “I’m home, I’m home.”

About 300 family members, friends, fellow veterans, dignitaries and strangers gathered at Gallagher’s final resting place to finally pay respects to him on what would have been his 65th birthday.

Gallagher’s helicopter was shot down by enemy fire on Jan. 5, 1968, in Savannakhet Province, Laos. The chopper was never found, but last August, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command announced that his remains had been positively identified.

A group funeral for Gallagher and four other men who were missing in action was held at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia Aug. 14, 2007.
Someone who attended his military funeral in Hamden Tuesday never knew Gallagher, a Green Beret, but wore his POW/MIA bracelet nonetheless.

Retired Staff Sgt. William J. Benson of New Haven, a Vietnam veteran from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, attended the ceremony in full uniform, a tear falling across his cheek during the 25-minute ceremony.

Benson said it didn’t matter that he didn’t know Gallagher personally.
“We are all brothers. The bracelet was sent to me. I never took it off in 30 years,” Benson said, his voice cracking with emotion. “It’s a weight lifted and it’s John’s homecoming.”

Gallagher was buried along with the nine POW/MIA bracelets that were turned in during the funeral.

America Legion Post 88 retired Commander Fred McCarthy placed the gold urn that contained Gallagher’s remains in the burial vault along with the bracelets, Gallagher’s brother’s POW/MIA baseball cap, and a red rose.
Gordon Gallagher said he wore the cap because his bracelet disintegrated years ago.

“It fell apart. The hat I wore until my brother came home. It was something I wore for him,” said Gallagher, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The Gallaghers had grown up in New Jersey but moved to West Haven to be closer to family. Their mother later lived in Hamden and he left for Vietnam from his mother’s home on Shepard Avenue, a place she called “Heaven Hill.”

Gordon Gallagher said they never could have imagined the pageantry and the turnout for his brother on Tuesday.

Sgt. Maj. Gary Salmon and four other members of the military gave folded flags to the family. There was a 21-gun salute, a bugler playing taps and a bagpiper concluding with “Amazing Grace.”

Three framed pictures of Gallagher stood on easels behind the vault, with four floral arrangements standing on either side.

Gallagher leaves five siblings, Gordon; Nancy Yunek and Steve Gallagher of Fort Pierce, Fla., Ethel Jamie of Maine, and Susan Gallagher of Virginia. Helen Gallagher Yunek, their mother, died in 2000. Her son was laid to rest next to her.

The funeral began with prayers and words of comfort from Bishop Peter J. Rosazza. State Rep. Alfred Adinolfi, R-Cheshire, a veteran, read a proclamation from Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who called Tuesday a day of “mourning and remembrance.”

Steve Gallagher said that “John found a purpose and fulfillment in the U.S. military,” and died doing what he wanted to do. He thanked everyone on behalf of the family.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Gallagher died in a war that many at the time thought was illegitimate, “but today we say we’re proud of you. Welcome home from all of us. We bring you back from the terrible place where you died to this beautiful place of peace.”

State Comptroller Nancy Wyman said it took a long time to bring him home, but “may he rest in peace in this beautiful place.”

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz, Sen. Joseph Crisco, D-Woodbridge, Rep. J. Brendan Sharkey, D-Hamden, former Hamden Mayor John L. Carusone and Mayor Craig B. Henrici, and Gold Star Wives and Mothers were among those who attended.

Hamden Veterans Commissioner Abner Oakes and the Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, along with the U.S. military, handled the arrangements.

The Hamden Police and Fire Departments stood guard next to veterans who held a POW/MIA flag. Forty statewide members of the Patriot Riders stood with flags along the perimeter of the service.

“After the ceremony at Arlington last year, we thought this would be quiet, that it would be more of just immediate family,” Gordon Gallagher said.

“It’s very sad. It brings finality to everything,” said Kristin Guido of Oxford, a family friend who wore a bracelet and wrote a poem, “Ode to Johnny,” which was circulated Tuesday.

Source: The Two Malcontents Vietnam War finally ends for family of Special Forces Sgt. 1st Class John Theodore Gallagher

[Woodmonkey]

May he rest in peace.