© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Through the 11 of Us project, WNPR and CPBN's Institute for Advanced Media are sharing eleven personal stories from veterans and those in their community.In the series, veterans talk about their service and what it means to be a veteran.CPBN is hosting a clothing drive for veterans and their families in Connecticut. Bring new clothing with tags still attached, or gift cards for the purchase of new clothing, to CPBN at 1049 Asylum Avenue in Hartford, attention Mike Komrosky. The drive ends November 17.11 of Us is made possible by Victory Energy Solutions and New England Conservation Services.

Vietnam Veteran Heals By Helping Younger Generation

VICTOR SUWATCHARAPINUN
/
CPBN
Peter Galgano served in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Marines Corps

In the days leading up to Veterans Day, WNPR brings you stories from veterans and those in their communities.

Peter Galgano served in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Marine Corps.  

"I don't want them to lose that part of their life like I lost."
Peter Galgano

"My service was big turnaround in my life. I was brought up in Brooklyn, New York and I was a punk kid. I went to boot camp; they made me shave off all my hair and everything. It was an unbelievable experience; I came out a different person than I went in.

"They give you the test, the aptitude test and everything and I became a jet engine mechanic. From war I actually got home, hung up my uniform and never even admitted to being a veteran. Like I said, that went on for 34 years.

"Now I work at Middlesex Community College with the Oasis Center working with the veterans. I don’t want them to lose that part of their life like I lost. So I’m there to be supportive. That very first year that I joined the Marine Corps League, they entered the Veterans Parade in Hartford. What was amazing to me is when we’re marching down the street, every big corner, even on the side streets, people were applauding, shouting. It brought tears to my eyes. It was like a welcome home.

Credit VICTOR SUWATCHARAPINUN / CPBN
/
CPBN
Peter Galgano visited WNPR and talked about his advocacy for veterans today.

"I’m not going to say I’m old, but I’m a lot older than the veterans at the college. It’s like we’re brothers. No matter what branch of service you’re in, even the ones in the National Guard, and the Coast Guard, we’re all veterans; we all served, even the reserves.

"You become a veteran by signing that blank check up to and including your life. And a lot of people that never served don’t know that. And I guess that’s what brings everybody that close together. And even more importantly, how many Americans lost their life in these wars so that we can have the freedoms that we have today."

Peter will be marching in the annual Connecticut Veterans Parade on Sunday, Nov. 8.
It's New England's largest veterans parade, beginning at 12:30 p.m. near the State Capitol Building in downtown Hartford. The parade will include a military flyover by a  C-130H aircraft from the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing.
 

 

Lucy leads Connecticut Public's strategies to deeply connect and build collaborations with community-focused organizations across the state.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content