Fare Well My Brother-in-Arms

Back in early February 2007, before GoE was even remotely what it has become, I received a phone call from a Vietnam veteran who had somehow gotten one of my emails about the impending A.N.S.W.E.R./ Code Pink, et al announcement that they had plans to "occupy" the Vietnam Wall. In one of the last sentences of that email I said something to the effect of I have always thought of The Wall as mine too because my father took me there over the Christmas break of my senior year in high school. I remember my old man pointing at The Wall and saying, "You wanted to be in the infantry. That's the infantry. Do not f@#k this up." Immediately after that I bought the POW/MIA bracelet I still wear today. Coincidentally, the date Curtis R. Smoot was reported missing is March 10, 1971. Well, yesterday March 10, 2011, that Vietnam veteran who accidentally got into my email string, Sal Lanzetta, 4th ID US Army, Vietnam, passed away do to complications from A.L.S.

In the email that Sal had gotten I also said something to the effect of, "If I have to stand at The Wall all by myself to keep these bastards from desecrating the memorial marker to our dead, I will, but I know I won't be alone." Sal called to say, "Well Chris I guess if it turns out to be just you and me we'll go down fighting." As you all know, it didn't turn out to be just us. Literally tens of thousands of veterans and troop supporters turned out that bitterly cold St. Patrick's Day in 2007. We stood as one and reversed the 40 year trend of the anti-American forces being the only ones yelling in the streets, and Sal stood within an arms length of me nearly all day.

Since then Sal has been at every event GoE has undertaken from the counters of Code Pink at Walter Reed to the support of the Coast Guard Academy to the defense of the A.E.C. He was never far off my six and told me once, "Don't worry brother. I won't ever let charlie creep up on you. You just worry about what's in front of you. The Ivy's on station." All of you know of my deep respect and unmitigated love for my 'Namies. As much as I love the men and women serving now, the 'Nam vets will always be my Gold Standard for warriors. Sal Lanzetta was the embodiment of the true American spirit and patriotism of the Vietnam veteran. He told me once that he volunteered to serve in Vietnam, "because the country has given me so much. How could I not give back to her?"

When I received the call of his passing, and as I write these words, I find my self getting more than a bit misty eyed. No GoE action will be quite the same without Sal just off my left shoulder and several paces to the rear. I shall miss him terribly, but have to believe he will be greeted on the other side with a hearty WELCOME HOME from our brothers and sisters who have gone before. Second Brigade MC will be riding escort for Sal on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, and we welcome anyone who would like to ride with us. If any of you are in the neighborhood, please stop by and say goodbye to one of our own. I believe his family will appreciate it and know that I will. All the details are below and, as I said back in 2007, if I have to stand alone to wish Sal fare well I will, but I know I won't be alone. Good bye Sal. Thank you for your service, both in Vietnam and after, and, as always, WELCOME HOME. Manchu

Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 259 Forest Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002. The viewing will be held on Monday evening from 6:30-9 PM and Tuesday from 8:30 – 10 AM at the Emil J. Ciavarelli Family Funeral Home, 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler. Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ambler. Donations in Sal’s name may be made to The ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002. Condolences may be made at www.ciavarellifuneralhomes.com