Harrison Names in the News: Ben DeFonce

One of the many lessons Ben DeFonce has learned since returning home from the Korean War 60 years ago is that the need to support our veterans never stops.

All these years later, he continues his effort to fill that need as Harrison's veteran's services officer. With veterans still returning home from service every day, he works to support local men and women as they adjust to life back home. It's a difficult task; many are struggling to deal with issues usually only understood by fellow vets.

"It's 60 years since I've been wounded and I'm still feeling it," DeFonce said. "These young kids who have only been back a year or two, it's hard for them to get over everything."

But DeFonce still works every year to get local veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to march in parades like Harrison's Monday. This fall he honored a couple of local Iraq veterans on Veterans Day and extends open invitations for them to march with him to celebrate Memorial Day.

While the veterans who march in parades every year are typically older, he said Memorial Day is for everyone who served, and it's important to remember that.

"It's not easy to get these guys to put the uniform back on and march with me," he said. "But I'm trying."

For a variety of reasons, though, it's difficult to bring the younger generation of veterans out. DeFonce guesses this is because they are still dealing with moving back home and starting their lives. Much like when he returned from service back in the '50s, DeFonce said today's veterans are struggling to find jobs. Those without physical injuries also often struggle with issues like depression when they return home.

"A lot of these veterans aren't necessarily wounded, but they got caught up with depression and all that stuff so it's hard for them to get back in society," DeFonce said. "That's a big thing that we are trying to handle across the country with the veterans agencies."

But that's what makes days like Memorial Day so important, he said. It's a time to take a minute to think about all the sacrifices of those who have served, and those who continue to risk their lives every day for our freedom. 

So on Monday morning DeFonce urges everyone to take that time to think about a veteran, and make the trip to Harrison's parade to support all they have done. He also said it's important to keep in mind the recent veterans, even if they don't march, who still need support from all of us.

"We try to make people understand that we should never forget and let them realize what we are fighting for—for their freedom," he said. "When you see a veteran, just say thank you for our freedom, thank you for your service."

The Harrison Memorial Day Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Halstead Avenue. Captains from the Army, Navy and Marines are expected to speak, as well as a Major from the Air Force. Harrison's boy scouts, marching band, majorettes and other town groups are expected to march with veterans to honor those who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.

DeFonce will be there, as he is every year, and appreciates all the support he can get from the community.

"It's wonderful to think that they still respect us," DeFonce said.

Supporters on Monday will have the opportunity to show him just how much.