Page 24 - Valley Life & Health

24 SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2019 THE MORNING CALL

honoringourheroes

Thomas P. O’Connell
U.S. Army, WWll
My story is about one of the greatest men I’ve met in my 56 yrs. I admired him so much, I
went on to marry his youngest daughter Alice, about 32 years ago.
When I met Tommy O’Connell, I was a young know-it-all, both wild & arrogant. I was
dating his daughter through high school and after a few years I recall asking at his dinner
table for his daughter’s hand. His reply sobered me up. He said “James, up till now you’ve
been an “idiot” (not exactly the words he used). What exactly is going to change?”
Not exactly the response I was looking for, but I’ll never forget it. Tommy was the Hub of
the Family; he understood as young couple, we needed guidance. He’d always tell us to
“sleep on the big decisions,” that any deal worth its salt today will be there tomorrow.
Tommy had signed up for the military while completing his senior yr. at Upper
Moreland High school. He served in the Army & was sent to the front lines in Anzio, Italy
during WWII. Tommy was hit while firing from his fox hole; a grenade went off next to
him and killed the two men in the adjacent fox holes just next to him. He was hit bad; his
arm was shredded, and barely hanging on. He was in the hole for nearly 2 days. I recall
him laughing while telling me the story of the two men who came to take the wounded
back to the tent (medical hospital), carrying him on a gurney. They apparently were tired,
cold and wet and had been doing this back and forth all night. The first soldier say’s to the
second “I’m whooped. What do you say we just dump him over there?” Tommy, hearing
that raises his head up enough to make eye contact with the second soldier who replies,
“Nah, we better get him back to the tent!”
He was awarded numerous medals of honor including the Purple Heart. He was quite a
character, full of Irish wit and a simple man with common sense but I knew him best to be one
of the most honorable men I have ever known. Tommy asked me before he passed to “always
take care of his baby” and I promised I would. That is why Tommy O’Connell is my hero.
Jimmy McCarthy

Walter Hafner
U.S. Army
This was my Dad. We lost him a few years ago but will never forget him. He was a
Medic in the US Army, serving in Korea. His gentle touch pulled our splinters, bandaged
our bruised knees, and his gentle words soothed our hurt. I miss him so much.
God Bless you Dad!
Walt Jr.

Benjamin Cavotta
U.S. Navy, WWll
Benjamin Cavotta died on January 15th of this year and was just 6 weeks shy of
his 99th birthday. He was a proud WWII Navy veteran who served on the USS
North Carolina. He enlisted in May 1944 and was discharged in February 1946.
We dedicated a brick in his honor at the National World War II Museum in New
Orleans and saw it in person when we visited there last year. It was very moving.
Years after he returned home, he became a member of the Easton Police
Department, where he served from 1950-1975. He was a traffic clerk and later
served the beat at Fourth and Northampton Streets. After his death, his family
was presented with a resolution from the Easton City Council honoring him for
his years of service and for “performing his duties in an excellent and professional
manner.” Members of the Easton Police served as his pallbearers.
He was a wonderful man who raised three sons with his wife, Mildred. He
loved the Eagles, the Phillies, scratch-off lottery tickets, going to the casino and
sitting on his porch smoking cigars.
He is missed.
Richard and Gloria Cavotta
Bangor, PA