On July 4, Saluting An American Hero

On July 4 my thoughts often turn to a real American hero who I had the honor of knowing: the late Rev. Dennis Rocheford.  Known universally as "Father Dennis," the former pastor of St. Theresa's Church in Blackstone, MA was not only an incredible Roman Catholic priest, he was a highly decorated Marine Corps and Navy veteran who first enlisted in the USMC as a youth, serving in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive where he was wounded earning the Purple Heart.  Returning from Vietnam he enrolled in UMASS Amherst, but then went on to enter the seminary and was ordained to the priesthood.  He would return to the military as a Navy Chaplain to Marines.  Eventually Fr. Dennis would rise to the rank of Commander, and his last assignment was as Catholic Chaplain at the Newport Naval Base.  Fr. Dennis served in Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. What prompted me to share these thoughts is the memory of Fr. Dennis on the weekend before July 4 he would say at all Masses, "before you have your picnic or BBQ on the Fourth, stop by and join us at morning Mass.  Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies and thank God for freedom!"  It was typical to see 300+ people at a weekday Mass doing just that!  A Priest and Patriot, Fr. Dennis died on September 10, 2009.  He is greatly missed, but left behind a legacy of unselfish service to Church and Country.