By
Andrew DeMarco
Last week, just before Memorial Day a friend of mine posted a picture on Facebook of his Cousin Michael, proudly dressed in his Marine uniform, who lost his life in Viet Nam. Semper Fi Michael.
This is the true meaning of Memorial Day honoring those who lost their lives in war for this country. In the past few months, my family has lost two men who served their country and although they did not make the ultimate sacrifice they made sacrifices non-the less and I would like to remember them belatedly this Memorial Day.
The first family member is Richard Prestera, Lt. Colonel U.S.M.C. retired who passed away in April of this year. Richard was born in the Bronx and later attended the University of Alabama where he entered the R.O.T.C. program and upon graduation was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He married his college sweetheart and a short time later was shipped out to Viet Nam. Richard did two tours in Viet Nam and upon his return made a career in the Corps. He later would have a very successful career at IBM. The last time I saw Cousin Rich was at a family wedding where we reminisced about a visit when I was young my family made to him and his family at Quantico when he returned home from one of his tours. I am not sure which one, but he was a Captain at that point. He also mentioned that other than the birth of his children and grandchildren his time in the Corps was great and if he had too he would do it all over again including Viet Nam. He told Cousin Marian before passing away that his group of Viet Nam buddies who met once a year was down to three, sadly now it is two. Semper Fi Rich.
The second member who passed away just before the Memorial Day weekend was Joseph Mariniello, Colonel U.S. Army Reserve retired who was born in Newark, N.J. Cousin Joe took almost a similar path as Rich but with a twist. Joe was attending Seton Hall University when he was drafted and had contemplated fleeing to Canada to avoid Viet Nam but thought otherwise and went into the Army. Once there, he was enrolled in the Army Officer Candidate School and was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was later sent off to the one place he wanted to avoid and did one tour there, Viet Nam. He then resigned his commission from the Army and accepted one with the Army Reserve. He served until the first Gulf War and retired as a Colonel; this seems very strange from someone who wanted to initially avoid the service at any cost. While fulfilling his reserve duties, Joe had a successful career as a pharmaceutical sales rep. The last time I spoke with Joe at any length was two years ago at my mother’s wake where he had just returned from his second visit back to Viet Nam. Unlike most Viet Nam vets, he seemed not to mind discussing his time there. Sadly, Joe died from Parkinson’s disease, PTSD and the beginnings of dementia which was believed to be brought on by exposure to agent orange.
Three men, three different paths in service to their country, all making sacrifices with one making the ultimate sacrifice. Two making lives for themselves after experiencing the darkness of war with one never having that opportunity. These three men and their stories will give Memorial Day to me now and in the future a different and special meaning one that Cousin Bob would call that…Rosy Glow.
Bob's Rosy Glow 