This Duquesne veteran left Vietnam 50 years ago. Each year since, he’s honored those who didn’t make it back.
George Reganick’s 6-foot-1inch frame is dwarfed only by the size of his heart. The longtime custodian at Bethel Park School District has been known to say, “I’m here for the kids. That’s why I do what I do,” while quietly acknowledging kindergarteners as his favorite. He’s raised money with sports tournaments and more for The American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, police officers, firefighters, dog shelters, groups that support autistic individuals and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
But he’s best known for supporting active duty and veteran service members.
He stuffed stockings for them with first grade students around Christmastime. He builds wooden lamps with customized stuffed animals attached and sells them to raise money for veterans causes. And in varying forms since 1973, he’s plucked a few veterans out of the community to honor each year with plaques, and sometimes proclamations from politicians, before hosting softball tournaments in their honor.
This year he’s doing that in coordination with Bethel Park American Legion Post #760 on June 11 at Neil Armstrong Elementary School.
All of these acts made Mr. Reganick, 71, of Duquesne, a beloved staff member at Bethel Park School District over his decade of employment there. In fact, when he retired about two weeks ago, teachers and students lined the hall of
William Penn Elementary School to clap and cheer for him as he walked out of the building for the last time, filmed it and posted it to YouTube.
Most of those co-workers, and certainly the students, never questioned why “Mr. George” is so service oriented.
The half-century-old story behind it still makes his voice shake.
Battle buddies
Mr. Reganick enlisted in the U.S. Army and served two tours in Vietnam spanning from 1970 until 1972. He was first assigned to a transportation battalion but later served as an infantryman based out of Ankhe andPhu Bai.
While trudging through the jungle, he was flanked by seven fellow soldiers when enemy shots were fired. Three of those soldiers were killed and three others were paralyzed, leaving only him and one other unharmed.
He wrote letters the families of those who were killed just inches from where he stood, making sure to write that their sons and brothers died as heroes. And, as someone who survived when others did not, he made a commitment to perform a new kind of service on their behalf.
“From the moment I was discharged, I promisedI’d do anything to help our veterans and give assistance to all who require help,” hesaid, choked up. “So, that’s why I do it.”
‘Just give us a name’
Mr. Reganick is so entrenched within the local veteran community that honorees are simply suggested to him by friends and acquaintances.
Tournaments seemed natural because he grew up playing sports and softball “isn’t hard, it’s just fun,” which is a small part of what attracts State Sen. Devlin Robinson, R-Bridgeville.
“I like that we actually get to play softball, but I try to help out the veterans wherever I can,” he said. “They didn’t choose where they were going or what war to fight. They went over to serve their country and did the best they could to make sure they and their friends could come home. They fought valiantly,and they should be honored for that.”
Ittakes five or six months for Mr. Reganick to arrange each tournament. The purpose is to raise money in some cases, but the one in Juneis more about uniting supporters.
The four softball teams entered for free, and there will be no fee to attend the ceremony that will honor five local veterans. For those who wish to donate, they can do so outright or by purchasing concessions, participatingin a silent auction or the 50/50 raffle.
With the money raised there and through private donations, Mr. Reganick and Bethel Park Mayor Jack Allen will purchase around 500 wreaths for every “fallen hero” buried at Bethel Church Cemetery and elsewhere when requested by community members.
“Just give us a name,” Mr. Reganick said. “We’ll find them and put a wreath where your loved one is buried.”
In addition to Sen. Robinson, Rep. Natalie Mihalek R-Upper St. Clair, and Mr. Allen, among others, will be in attendance for both the ceremony, which begins at 8:30 a.m., and the games, which begin at 10.
Each veteran or surviving family members will receive a large plaque noting the veteran’s name, rank and any medals received, plus a proclamation and a baseball cap with their branch of service.
Loud, clear and “not in a rush,” each veteran will be honored for their service. World War II veterans include the only living honoree, Sgt. Charles Zukauckas of the U.S. Army, plus 1st Lt. Lawrence A. Cullen of the U.S. Army Air Corps and Cpt. Amerigo John Cassini. The ceremony also will acknowledge retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Van Olt and Vietnam veteran U.S. Army Sgt. John H. McClellan, whose daughter, Michelle Sappas, was a coworker of Mr. Reganick’s.
‘In your blood’
Mrs. Sappas, a teacher at William Penn Elementary School in Bethel Park, remembers asking her dad to talk about his experiences in Vietnam for a school project when she was a kid. The former infantryman showed her some pictures of helicopters and talked about driving tanks and his presence during missions, but the conversation was vague and short.
Her mother understands why.
“It was terrifying,” Ginger McClellan said. “When you think of an 18-year-old boy going over and away from home for the first time, and you give them a rifle, and it’s your decision if someone lives or dies in a split second.”
But Mrs. Sappas, doesn’t need to know the details of what her father experienced to feel its significance: “It’s empowering because the Vietnam War was now generations ago and has kind of been forgotten. It touches me that my dad would be recognized with such high honor.”
Arguably, the acknowledgement is of an even higher order since it was initiated by someone who’s been there, seen the worse, and chooses to aim his own grief toward the betterment of his brothers and sisters in arms.
“Every year I say this is it, but I won’t quit,” Mr. Reganick said. “It’s hard to experience what you go through. So, you want to help every veteran you can.
“To help veterans, it’s gotta be in your blood.”