Niagara County recognizes Purple Heart recipients

Article and Photos by Benjamin Joe

The fourth Frank J. Gaffney Purple Heart recognition ceremony saw over a hundred spectators on hand outside the Niagara County Courthouse on Sunday. The American Legion Band of the Tonawandas performed, and 89 new names were added to the memorial monument in Lockport. There are now 557 named honorees carved in stone around the flagpoles next to the courthouse.

Richard L. Andres Jr., 8^th District Legislator, offered opening remarks. He said, “This county has played a very big role in just about every conflict this nation has ever had, from the French and Indian War all the way to today. Today, we’re honored to have some of those veterans represented here this afternoon.”

Town of Wheatfield Supervisor Don MacSwan was the keynote speaker at the Frank J. Gaffney Purple Heart Recognition Ceremony on Aug. 3 at the Niagara County Courthouse in Lockport.

••••••••

The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Town of Wheatfield Supervisor Don MacSwan, a two-time Purple Heart recipient from his time as a medic in Vietnam.

“I had reservations about coming and speaking about my experience in Vietnam,” MacSwan said. “Because it’s something that I haven’t talked about a lot since I got out of the service, which was many years ago, as you know. I was building inspector for the Town (of Wheatfield) for many years, and I am now in my fourth term as supervisor.”

“When I grew up in Colonial Village, and I’m sure everyone knows where that is, and my entire life has been in Niagara County. I remember the days of growing up a s a young boy when it was OK to play guns, it was OK to watch Daniel Boon and Davey Crocket, and I’m sure some of the Purple Heart veterans close to my age or maybe younger know the days of being able to do those things. …

“The good old days of having fun and playing guns. A nicer time. … Eventually, I was drafted in the United States Army in 1967 and I was just 20 years old, not knowing what was coming, of course. … I remember getting off the airplane and USO girls had Santa hats on and were passing out handkerchiefs and wishing us merry Christmas. … As we drove along in the bus to go to the replacement center, I’m sure you guys all saw the same sign, ‘10,679 miles to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.’

“You realize how far away from home you are, and I remember that first night in Vietnam, when the Christmas music stopped and everyone was in bed. Listening to the crying of the young men at 20 years old. Crying themselves to sleep. Probably their first night away from their families … it was something I’ll never forget, the sound of these men crying. Including me.”

After speaking, the roll of Purple Hearts recipients was called out with a bell ringing for each soldier.

MacSwan presented with an award. After the ceremony, he gave out copies of his book, “Doc,” written by himself and his son.

“I saw a few guys with tears in their eyes,” he said. “More than anything (this ceremony) shows the camaraderie of the recipients. We all have something in common: Wounded in combat.”