Westport Matters Veterans

Westport VFW 50th Anniversary

Two WWII Veterans discuss the founding, progress and status of this local VFW chapter, since its 1948 inception.

Manny Martin Westport’s last Pearl Harbor Veteran

Lifelong Westport resident Manny Martin, (1921-2012) recalls Attack on Pearl harbor and recounts his life story.
Manny was a farmer, Builder, Contractor, and was active in Veterans affairs.

Ray Reykert WWII Veteran

Talk about life and war experiences and memorabilia collection.

Leo and Diane Chabot

Life and times of WWII veteran, barber, family, public affair, Leo’s tenure on the local Board of Public Welfare.

Arthur O’ Dwyer, Life History

Arthur describes a fairly typical life of his times. Living in the Depression, Veteran,Marriage, Family, Work, Retirement. In an era that encompasses 70 years of the last century and the beginning of this new Millennium.

Bill and Edna Pierce

Life long residents: Bill National league baseball pitcher whose career was cut short by injuries suffered during as a WWII soldier, Westport farmer, Former Town Deputy Chief of Police, operator of Blueberry Hill Farm.1921-2009
Edna: Of the Dartmouth Slocum family whose ancestor Joshua sailed around the world alone during the late 1800’s (voyages of the Spray) and wrote a still available fascinating book. Edna had a career in the postal service. They raised two sons, one was Town Police chief, the other a semi pro baseball pitcher who now operates the blueberry farm. 1923-2005

Tony Gracia Long term Town Official. Likely Westport’s most productive Selectmam

Tony’s long career as a Town Official in many capacities was marked by many achievements in which he was Prime Mover. His volunteer work was accompanied by a long technical work career as a civilian employee of the US Navy.
This historically significant video is best viewed on small screen.

Westport Veterans at American Legion Post. First time use of this site for video taping

American Legion and VFW Representatives including Westport’s last Pearl Harbor veteran, Manny Martin discuss Veteran’s Affairs.

Salvation Army. Fall-River MA

Director of the Local Chapter and assistant discuss the programs to help those in need. “Sally Ann” has a long history of helping people whose lives were destroyed or heavily impacted by uncontrollable events.

Korean War Vet. Roland Gendron

Roland is only a few years older than I am. He was my Platoon Sargent at Camp Lejeune in 1952 after having returned from Korea. Roland participated in one of the major operations of the Korean war: the Inchon landing and the Chosin Reservoir retreat during the brutal North Korean, Siberian driven winter. His experiences document the hardships of USMC and other military services.
He kept this 17 year old Canuck immigrant farmer out of trouble.I did not become a US Citizen until many years later when I had returned to civilian life.