Daily News pays tribute to Woodsiders this Memorial Day
Thomas Patrick Noonan
Remember these two men this Memorial Day.
They were born during World War II and grew up in Woodside, Queens, where they were in the same kindergarten class at Public School 76. They would later both serve in Vietnam, the war that defined their generation.
Robert Emmett O’Malley was badly wounded saving the lives of fellow Marines and came home alive.
Thomas Patrick Noonan also saved the lives of fellow Marines but was killed on the battlefield.
Both were awarded the Medal of Honor.
That two buddies from the same grade school, born five months apart in 1943, would receive the highest commendation for valor in the land is astounding.
But O’Malley and Noonan came from a special place called Woodside that erected a Vietnam Memorial in 1988 bearing the names of 27 young men from Zip Code 11377 who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
That, according to local Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, is more than from any other postal code in the nation.
(For the rest, please click here)
Words detract from the solemn gratitude we all feel, and must always feel for the people who face so much on our behalf.
It’s hard to fathom the bravery of these men.
I recently visited the Noonan grave at Calvary. It’s near the spot where they filmed Vito Corleone’s funeral in the Godfather. There’s also a large plot and monument for the Catholic Civil War veterans at the other end of the cemetery.
Semper fi! Never forget.
Sunnyside Post, thanks for this.
Have to add that on every Presidential Inauguration Day an Inaugural Ball is sponsored by the American Legion to salute the recipients of the Medal of Honor. It’s called “Salute the Heroes”. Every newly inaugurated President of the United States (since Dwight Eisenhower’s 1st Inauguration) has made a point to attend it. Everyone but Obama.
Semper Fidelis
Was a nice tribute in the Daily News.
@WhiskeyTango…
I’m not surprised.
But at least he found time to give Paul McCartney and award!
Obama has his priorities.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1283597/Sir-Paul-McCartney-collects-Gershwin-Prize-White-House-gig–sticks-Barack-Obama.html
@ whiskeytango…
He also found time to give Bob Dylan a medal too…
http://thehill.com/video/administration/229899-obama-awards-dylan-medal-of-freedom-i-am-a-really-big-fan
Roger,
Jug Ears is pathetic. I voted for Mrs. Palin.
Semper Fidelis