Bergen County Veteran Addresses The Importance of Veterans Day

88-year-old Colonel Charles Richardson, the recipient of the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and other military honors says we cannot lose the importance of the meaning of Veterans Day. The resident of The Bristal Assisted Living Community at Woodcliff Lake served in both the U.S. Air Force and in the U.S. Army.

Richardson served in the Air Force from 1954-1958, as a medic and lab technician in Newfoundland achieving the rank of Airman second class. After his service in the Air Force, Richardson attended college and was then ordained as a Methodist Minister by the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.

Colonel Richardson joined the Army in 1966, serving as a Chaplain for more than 25 years until his retirement in 1992. Richardson served in Vietnam, in 1970, the helicopter he and five other soldiers were in was shot down on February 24, 1970. Miraculously Richardson and the other five soldiers survived the crash.

Colonel Richardson and his wife Mary Frances have been married for 63 years. His son Reed is a retired Army Captain, having served as a combat engineer.

According to Colonel Richardson, Veterans Day is not about war. It is a time to salute those who protected America through their service and sent a clear message to our enemies that we are ready, we are strong and if provoked will do battle. But he says the goal of those who serve our nation is to maintain peace but whenever necessary to defend the people of the United States.