Del Rossi joins War on Terrorism
Published on November 7th, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Stoneham native and police veteran, Richard Del Rossi, is headed overseas with the U.S. Air Force.
“I consider it an honor and a privilege,” Del Rossi said.
Del Rossi’s experience as a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War has put him in the odd but impressive position of leading a five-person air base security team into active duty. All 50 of the U.S. Air Force Reserves 66th Security Squadron from Hanscom Air Base have been called to one year active duty, but most will stay in the U.S. for homeland defense.
Del Rossi is a 51-year-old reservist leading a team of 20-something Air Force regulars. He was the first reservist to leave Hanscom for duty in the War On Terrorism. Obviously his superiors value his skills.
Del Rossi says the Air Force probably considered his experience as a U.S. Army infantryman in Vietnam from 1969-1972 and his years of training in air base security. Del Rossi was awarded the purple heart in 1969 after being wounded by shrapnel, and he has trained at Hanscom since joining the reserves in 1989.
“My team members are younger than my kids,” Del Rossi said. He’s a grandfather, but he’s wearing a fresh crewcut, and he’s ready to go.
“If I had a choice, this is where I’d want to be,” Del Rossi said.
His wife and kids are nervous, but they understand, Del Rossi said.
“I’m nervous too. You should be if you’re doing this,” he said.
The prospect of fighting in a new war brings back memories, good and bad.
“There were some good guys with me 30 years ago, and these kids are just as good.. more educated maybe, but the same dedication,” Del Rossi said. He was 18 when he went to Vietnam. His team includes Airmen Kerron Pringle, 25; Carlos Carmona, 23; Michael Ford, 21; and Robert Huntington, 23.
And this is a different kind of war, Del Rossi added.
“They brought the fight to us,” he said, referring to the Sept. 11 attack. “The whole country is behind us, and this will make all the difference for these kids.
“As long as they don’t call me grandpa,” he joked.
After half a lifetime of service to his country, Del Rossi has “a good feeling” as he heads off to his undisclosed overseas location.
“I just hope that at the end of my life I can sit back in my rocking chair proud of what I’ve done,” Del Rossi said.
But for the moment it’s a jet not a rocking chair and a three to four month stint overseas securing air bases from the enemies of America.
Another local hero
Stoneham Police Dispatcher David Luciano is one of the reservists serving one year active duty at Hanscom Air Base.
Del Rossi and Luciano join Sean Fitzgerald, a Stoneham firefighter and U.S. Army Sgt. stationed in Bosnia, as Stoneham public safety employees who have gone from protecting our town to our country.
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