McCann Students Contribute to Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
William 'Smitty' Pignatelli, right, meets with McCann students and staff in June.
National Honor Society students at McCann Technical School designed and produced 27 placards honoring the 27 local servicemen who died in the Vietnam War.
"In my opinion, these are permanent, historical pieces that if this wall does come back in two years, five years or 25 years these will still be here," William "Smitty" Pignatelli told the students during a presentation on June 17. "You're going to be proud to have your name on it."
Computer-assisted design instructor Joshua Meczywor said the former state representative brought the project to McCann Superintendent James Brosnan, and students set to work researching the local soldiers who lost their lives in the war.
"The level of detail they went to on the research was well beyond what we even asked them to do," he said. "Down to finding commendations and awards. They have all the patches, the emblems and things that would have been on their uniform or listed."
The plaques sit on stakes and will be dispersed along the side of the wall with flags. They are framed and laminated, and include bios and information on each veteran.
Pignatelli said the students went far beyond his expectations.
"I was hoping for pictures, a little history. I figured I had to get them laminated in case it rained, but I never imagined framed on stakes … you guys did all that work for me," the Lenox resident said. "You guys did a beautiful job. Fantastic job."
Meczywor said students actually found errors during their deep research. He said one soldier had his birthday listed incorrectly, and another, Richard Davis, was recorded as being from Quincy when he was actually born in North Adams. He said they also looked for the highest-quality photos they could find, which often was challenging.
"You really paid attention to the details, and you didn't just look at one website. You did your homework," Pignatelli said. "We get spoiled with our computers now. Back then they were typewriters, and it would be easy to put the wrong date in … things did get lost."
Meczywor added that the kids were surprised by how young these soldiers were when they died. He said one graduated in 1968 and died less than a year later.
"You look at the faces, you look at the ages, they are only a couple of years older than you guys. They were plucked out and sent off," Pignatelli added.
Pignatelli said many Vietnam veterans never got the chance to finish high school. He recalled a program Lenox participated in called Operation Recognition, in which some veterans were finally awarded their diplomas.
He said one veteran had a successful career at GE but turned down the diploma because he didn't want his employees to know he never graduated high school.
"I told him, you are exactly why we are doing this, because of hard work and dedication you went on to have a very successful career," Pignatelli said. "This is what they should know."
He said the veteran told him he would consider it the next year but sadly died a few months later.
Another veteran did accept the diploma, and he cherished it.
"He missed out on the Friday night football games, the junior-senior prom, hanging out with his buddies; he missed that," he said. "And when I went to his wake a couple years ago, that diploma was in the casket with him."
He said the one thing the veteran missed in his life was this piece of paper. "So don't ever take the education you're getting here at McCann for granted," Pignatelli told the students.
Principal Justin Kratz thanked Pignatelli for bringing such a valuable educational project to the students.
"The kids learn about Vietnam in their history class. It's one thing, and it's important, and it's good," he said. "But then, when they actually get to do a service-learning project like this and put the faces to it … We appreciate you reaching out because it takes it to another level."
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on display from July 10-13 at the War Memorial Baseball Field in Lenox.
The 27 Berkshire County residents who were killed in action during the Vietnam War:
* James Henneberry
* George Shufelt
* Francis Bissaillon
* David Borey
* Edward Jarvis
* John Pratt
* Kevin Aldam
* Russell Roulier
* Paul Cronk Jr.
* Paul Conner
* Chester Witanek
* Howard Luscier
* Peter Cook
* Patrick Muraca
* Gary Benjamin
* John Malloy
* Michael Casey
* Charles Jaquins
* James Termini
* Michael Whalen
* Charles Cummings
* William Coakley
* Peter Foote
* Richard Davis
* John Hartlage
* Paul Krzynowek
* Tristan Hayes
* James Henneberry
* George Shufelt
* Francis Bissaillon
* David Borey
* Edward Jarvis
* John Pratt
* Kevin Aldam
* Russell Roulier
* Paul Cronk Jr.
* Paul Conner
* Chester Witanek
* Howard Luscier
* Peter Cook
* Patrick Muraca
* Gary Benjamin
* John Malloy
* Michael Casey
* Charles Jaquins
* James Termini
* Michael Whalen
* Charles Cummings
* William Coakley
* Peter Foote
* Richard Davis
* John Hartlage
* Paul Krzynowek
* Tristan Hayes
Tags: McCann, Vietnam,
