The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Veteran presented medal for service in Vietnam War
FARMINGTON — Hamden native Peter G. Curtis was celebrated Thursday, as state Sen. George Logan presented him with a Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service medal as family and friends looked on.
During the proceedings, longtime friend Malcolm Ashley offered up a litany of Curtis’ service and accomplishments, both as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and in his later career.
Curtis fought in the Vietnam War, earning the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism, Ashley said. He later worked as the assistant secretary at Yale, working to build bridges across racial lines in New Haven, and taught at the University of Hartford.
“This man is a solider, he’s an academic, and it’s an honor to call him my friend,” said Ashley, who noted that Curtis is “one of the very few that has measured up to the Army Soldier’s Creed.”
Curtis was eligible to be recognized at the August 6 medal presentation held by Logan in Hamden, but was unable to attend.
Ashley said he, Shawn Garris and Joseph Rini contacted Logan, R-17, to ask if he would come to Farmington to give him his medal.
Logan said it was a nobrainer to make the trip.
“I said ‘are you kidding me? He went across the world to Vietnam to fight for my freedoms, my liberty — the least I can do is go to Farmington and say thank you for your years of service, for your dedication, for putting your life at risk,’” said Logan. “It is my pleasure, my honor, to be here. Thank you very much.”
George Kelly, Mike Sullivan, Jim Lucibello, and Alex Torello, friends from Curtis’ time at Notre Dame High School, were in attendance, both for the ceremony and to celebrate Curtis’ 77th birthday, which was Thursday as well.
“At our age, you’ve got to take advantage of every possibility,” said Torello.
“Plus, it’s quite an honor for him,” said Kelly.
Curtis’ sister, Sharon Curtis Radke, was there for the occasion and to celebrate her brother’s birthday.
She offered a few words on her brother’s behalf. Curtis, nonplussed by the situation, did not comment.
“I think he’s very stunned,” said Radke. “I think it’s terrific (that he’s being recognized), because Vietnam vets got nada, zero, zippo.”
The Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal was created by the General Assembly in 2005.
Curtis also established VETSLINK, an organization to aid Hamden veterans, and was a longtime parishioner at the Center Church on the Green, according to Logan’s office.