By Liz Premo, Atlantic News Staff Writer
Atlantic News, Friday, May 4, 2007
[The following article is courtesy of the Atlantic News]
HAMPTON — Two of the Seacoast’s own Army heroes were honored last Sunday in a pair of long-awaited ceremonies on the 32nd anniversary of the last US military operation conducted in Vietnam.
The well attended events, coordinated by Hamptons American Legion Post #35, honored Spc 4 Mark L. Brown and First Lieutenant Bruce W. Brown, both killed in action in 1969 and 1968, respectively.
Family members, friends, town and school officials, first responders, Veterans and members of the community gathered under cloudy, often drizzly skies to pay homage to the two Army officers.
It was Post #35 Chaplain John Holman who first brought it to the Legion’s attention in April of 2006 that the Brown Boys (no relation) had not yet been honored by a street sign, park or bridge like their fellow military personnel from the Hamptons had previously been.
And so, under the leadership of Post #35 Commander, Ralph Fatello, the Brown Memorial Dedication project took off in earnest.
After traversing through the appropriate channels, arrangements were made to dedicate the playing field at Marston School to Mark Brown, and the marine pier at Hampton Beach to Bruce Brown.
It was eventually decided to have the two dedications correspond with the observance of Operation Frequent Wind (the last military operation in Vietnam occurring on April 29, 1975). In addition, it was deemed fitting to use the occasion to recognize local Vietnam Veterans as well.
A slate of guest speakers and color guards, touching invocations, the ceremonial placement of memorial wreaths and the unveiling of the monuments — large stones with commemorative plaques honoring the Browns — were the order of the day at both locations.
A Roll Call of the Deceased was read, accompanied by a single bell toll and a rifle squad Salute to the Dead, followed by the solemn playing of “Taps.”
On the grounds of Marston School, Principal David O’Connor, CSM Fred Muscara, USA (principal of Hampton Academy), and Major Fred Rice, USA offered remarks while those who gathered before the new monument huddled together in a light rain.
During his comments, Fatello noted that while he did not know Mark Brown and wondered aloud what the Army hero would be doing had he safely returned home to Hampton, “what we do know is he will never be forgotten … and we know that this monument that bears his name will be here long after we are all gone.
“And in the future,” Fatello added, “when some small child asks a parent about this monument, that parent will be able to tell that small child that this monument is dedicated to an American hero — a Vietnam War hero.”
Later on, at the marine pier, Fatello noted that Bruce Brown “will never be forgotten, not by his family, or his friends, and not by any of us here today. This monument, this plaque that bears his name, seems a fitting place of honor, where men will go and rescue those in need of help. Indeed, a fitting place for a true American Vietnam War hero.”
Speaking at the second dedication, Bruce’s childhood friend, Cliff Pratt, choked up as he recalled that “Bruce was a tinkerer” who had an uncanny ability to get old motorcycles up and running, in particular an old Indian model.
“When Bruce got that going, [it] sounded like a Mack Truck taking off,” said Pratt, adding that even now when he hears motorcycles passing by his home, “I think of Bruce.”
Hampton Fire Chief Hank Lipe, himself a military Veteran, also addressed those present.
“I can’t think of a better structure or a better location” with which to honor Bruce Brown, Lipe commented, noting how Brown had been severely wounded while taking action to save his fellow soldiers after their tank had taken two direct hits by enemy fire. “I like to think of this pier today as a symbol of service.”
Another of Bruce’s friends, Marine Paul Fitzgerald recalled the fun they had during their high school years getting good and muddy on their motorcycles before heading up to Portsmouth to a coin-operated car wash “to rinse off 40 pounds of motorcycle mud.”
Fitzgerald also remembered how he and his wife had visited the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC sometime back, and made an etching of Bruce’s name from the surface of the wall, bringing it home and giving it to Brown’s mother.
“Bruce paid a tremendous price,” Fitzgerald said, noting that the memorial is “a wonderful way to remember him as a friend.”
Fatello credited a large list of names with helping to make the Brown Memorial projects come to fruition. Among them, Post #35 members John Barvenik, George Masten, Roger Syphers, Rice, Muscara, Fitzgerald, Holman and many, many others involved with the special remembrance.
Following the afternoon event, all were invited to a reception held in the clubhouse adjacent to the pier, providing a lingering opportunity to gather together and remember two American heroes by the name of Brown, who made the ultimate sacrifice in brave and courageous service to their country.
Bruce Brown’s widow at the Pier.
gathering at the Pier.
Cliff Pratt speaks to the crowd.
Police Chief Jamie Sullivan on right.
