'It Means Honor'

As a young U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran who returned home and was disgraced for his service to country, Rich Pachella learned to forgive.

“It was just a sign of the times,” he said. “That was the mindset . . . You dealt with it.”

But on Monday, moments before he participated in Pottstown’s Memorial Day parade, Pachella said he wants folks to honor the memory of his fallen comrades-in-arms.

“Today is all about those who gave their lives so we all can be free,” he said. 

Several other U.S. military veterans shared their views of the holiday.

“It means honor,” said Cal Brooks, a retired Marine Corps sergeant major. 

Books, who was in the service from 1953 to 1989, said it’s important to remember U.S. military troops from the Civil War era to today. “It’s not just a picnic day and day off school.”

Al Pasquale, also a Marine veteran, agreed and said he’s glad young adults take pride in joining the U.S military today.

Rob Mariano, a 2005 Pottsgrove High School graduate, was a Marine corporal. He served in Iraq in 2007 and winter of 2008 - 2009.

“It’s good to be home but you do miss it,” Mariano said of military service. 

“Today is not about us,” he said of the Memorial Day event and its focus on fallen U.S. military men and women. “I was one of the lucky ones (who) made it back.” 

Joan Alexander served seven years as a Marine.

On Monday, she was honored as Veteran of the Year at the parade.

“I’m the first woman,” she said of getting the title in Pottstown. “Memorial Day means a lot for me for the people who actually acknowledge our armed forces.”