New England Patriots Salute Military Veterans

FOXBOROUGH, MA - From New England Patriots: Throughout the month of November, the New England Patriots and Kraft family have been honoring the military through a number of Salute to Service initiatives in partnership with the NFL. Two of those initiatives over the past week recognized local military veterans, including two from Foxborough who served during the Vietnam War.

Marine Frank Walsh joined more than 60 Vietnam War veterans at Gillette Stadium for a special pinning
ceremony on Nov. 21. Robert and Josh Kraft welcomed the veterans to the stadium’s club to present each of them with a lapel pin to commemorate their service as part of an initiative led by the United States of American Vietnam War Commemoration.

“I have long said that the most underappreciated people in this country are the men and women of our service industries, like firefighters, police and nurses,” Robert Kraft told the veterans. “Quite simply, they don’t get the credit or financial reward they deserve for the roles they play in our society. Similarly, the most underappreciated veterans in our country are the soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War.”

Patriots players Joe Cardona, Brandin Cooks, Matthew Slater, Jordan Richards and defensive coordinator
Matt Patricia were all on hand to pin the veterans.

“It was a special moment to be able to come here and to be able to thank them for what they have done,” said Cooks, whose father and uncle both served in the Vietnam War as Marines. “Sometimes it feels like they’re forgotten about and it’s just been a blessing to see their smiles, see the joy that they get from meeting us and them understanding that we really thank them for their support.”

Walsh, 70, was stationed at a support base in Vietnam 50 years ago. The Foxborough resident called the
pinning ceremony an “unbelievable experience,” echoing much of Cooks’ sentiment.

“It’s been 50 years since Vietnam,” Walsh said. “We are often forgotten, but when something like this
happens; it makes you think and feel like people really do care. Our service and what we did really mattered to people.”

Five days after the pinning ceremony, Walsh joined more than 200 other military veterans from all five
branches, Gold Star families and 50 active duty service members for the Patriots’ annual Salute to Service
game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium.

The veterans participated in the Patriots’ pregame ceremony, which included unfurling a POW/MIA flag,
flags of each military branch and a large American flag on the field for the singing of the national anthem, which was performed by country music singer and songwriter Trace Adkins. At the conclusion of the national anthem, two F/A-18- C Hornets from the US Navy’s VFA-106 Gladiators out of Virginia Beach performed a flyover of the stadium.

Among Walsh and the other veterans participating in the military appreciation ceremony was lifelong
Foxborough resident Dennis Colwell Sr. The US Air Force veteran served four years during the Vietnam War.

“It was a privilege and an honor to be part of this special day,” Colwell Sr. said.

Walsh agreed.

“It’s a great honor to hold the American flag and take in the whole experience,” he said. “It’s been a
great day.”

Photo by Sandro Schuh via Unsplash