They served with honor: Military veterans reflect as their holiday approaches
Photos by Lisa Brisson
by Mark Jahne
Editor
They are older now. For some, their health is failing. But they still enjoy sharing the bond that only those who served in uniform can fully understand.
Military veterans gather every Wednesday morning at 8 a.m. for a veterans’ coffeehouse organized by American Legion Post 117 and hosted by the Community Room Café in Town Center. They swap stories, support each other and enjoy the camaraderie.
Among them is David Brodacki-Magnan, a lifelong resident.
“My parents moved here in 1960. I would up quitting high school in 1977 and joined the Marine Corps. I got my GED [high school equivalency diploma] in the Marine Corps,” he recalled.
“When I first walked into the recruiting office I was going to join the Navy,” he added.
But there was a waiting line and a Marine recruiter took advantage of that to convince him the USMC was a better choice. Brodacki-Magnan served from 1977-1981. He attended boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., and then received further training at a base in Norfolk, Va.
He was never deployed overseas. A lance corporal, he was assigned to a Marine base at 29 Palms, Calif., as a machinist and mechanic. He was honored to serve his country.
“I repaired trucks. If there was a part that we couldn’t get, I had to make it,” he said.
Like many veterans, there is a history of military service in his family. Several uncles were veterans.
“My older brother Bruce died in Vietnam” while serving in the U.S. Army, he said.
“In my opinion, every young man from 18 on should have to serve. It teaches you discipline, respect, honor, honesty. It gives you a moral compass,” he said.
He is married and has a son. After being discharged from the military he worked for 40 years as a machinist for Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel.
“We made all the fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors around the world,” Brodacki-Magnan said.
He confirmed that a Marine never completely leaves the Corps. It’s a lifetime bond.
Bob Sheffield of Newington is a Navy veteran. He enjoys the friendships formed at the coffeehouse and spoke about his service. Sheffield still remembers the exact date he enlisted in the Navy – March 1, 1961. His motivation was simple, but powerful.
“I wanted to serve my country,” he said.
Basic training took place at Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago.
He served until 1966 and was discharged at the rank of petty officer E5 2nd class. Sheffield sailed on two destroyers, the USS Hunt and USS Somers, as well as the USS Wadsworth County, an LST (landing ship, tank). He also spent time aboard the USS Holland, a submarine tender assigned to Rota, Spain.
“We did the Panama Canal 14 times. It was a world record for loading, unloading and going back,” he recalled. “I got out before Vietnam started” to heat up.
“I was a pipe fitter in the Navy. After that I was a union plumber and steamfitter for 46 years,” he added.
James York of Newington was drafted and served in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967. Basic training for him was at Fort Dox, N.J.
“I was sent to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland” to serve as an ordnance instructor, he said. “They were developing new weaponry. I was sent to Fort Lee, Va., for my last four months” to perform the same task.
York recalls witnessing the anti-war demonstrations that were common during the Vietnam era. He is proud to have served and was discharged at the rank of E5 (sergeant). NL