Statement from son, John Paul Falcone, to his Dad, Capt Falcone

I was only 4 years old when my dad left for the Vietnam war and 5 when he perished serving the country he loved in Kontum, South Vietnam. I can still remember both of these days like they were yesterday. I will never forget the plane that took him away and the soldier that came to our house to tell my mother he would not be coming back. I remember his big hands and his smile. I have always walked in his shadow. Inheriting so much of him, looks, love of football, baseball and track and not to mention many of the same mannerisms.

I was so young when he died I never really realized how much of an impact that his death had to anyone except for that of my family until one winter day a couple of years ago. I was coaching a basketball game for my youngest daughter in western New Hampshire. In the middle of the game an older gentleman came up to me and asked that I step outside to talk. It was in the middle of a game, but the gentleman was so distraught I felt I had no other choice. When we stepped aside he asked me if I knew John P. Falcone – I did of course, I told the gentleman I was his son. He cried … I have never before this realized just how much of an impact my Dad had made to others outside of our family until this day. He was a special man, and from the stories I have heard since make me even that much more proud to be able to say I am his son.