Soldier killed in Vietnam honored on 69th birthday
Several dozen persons honored the memory of Spc. Alan Paul Pagliaroni, who died while serving in the Vietnam War.
Several dozen persons assembled Friday at the Accord Veterans Park in the town of Rochester to honor the memory of Spc. Alan Paul Pagliaroni, who died during the Tet Offensive while serving in the Vietnam War.
Pagliaroni, 19, became the 17th of what would be 42 Ulster County residents killed in the war, and the first fallen who had attended Rondout Valley High School.
The ceremony marked what would have been his 69th birthday.
Pagliaroni was rejected by the draft board for a heart murmur, but enlisted the next year, encouraged by the example of his father, who fought in World War II and spent time as a prisoner of war in Germany. Both father and son earned Purple Heart medals, the younger receiving the second Purple Heart for his fatal injury.
Spc. Pagliaroni was also awarded the Bronze Star,
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He is buried in Long Island National Cemetery. His name was entered into the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
Siblings Pat Smith and Fred Pagliaroni both spoke fondly and shared memories of their brother, taken so many years ago. “He was a gentle person, never anyone disliked him that I knew of,” recalled the sister, saying he was “a good egg,” remembering tales of food fights and swimming.
“The day he left for Vietnam, I kissed him,” Smith said. “I was mad, because he was leaving — he was leaving me. But I didn’t want to let him know. His life was short, but he made a big impact on me. He was brave, even as a child. He opened doors that I later followed him through, personally, to make me who and what I am today. Sadly, he is missed so much in life, for 49 years, but now he is in God’s loving hands,” Smith said through tears.
Younger sibling Fred said he looked up to Alan throughout childhood. “Alan is my older brother, I only got to spend a few short years with him, but I spent the rest of my life missing him,” he said.
“All I can remember about him is that all he ever wanted to be was a soldier,” Pagliaroni said. “He got that and, as with over 58,000 others, did not return home. All of my vets out there, thank you. Regardless of your views about war, men and women have stepped forward to protect our freedom. Today, we honor his decision to do what he did, not knowing what it would cost him.”