The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
He ‘served our country with distinction’
Middletown Vietnam veteran receives community service award
MIDDLETOWN — Jerry Augustine served his country as an infantryman in Vietnam more than 50 years ago.
When he came home back from the war, Augustine built a business as the owner of the No Leak Roofing Co.
In the meantime, he also embarked on a career of serving his community just as he had served his country.
In light of that service, Augustine has been chosen to receive the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce’s William J. Pomfret Veteran Community Service Award.
The award, which is named in honor of Pomfret, a World War II Marine, is
“You hold a bond for your whole life, for the military, for friends and who you serve with. I carry this with me for my whole life.”
Jerry Augustine
given to a veteran “in recognition of his or her distinguished service to the citizens of Connecticut and selfless commitment to public service,” Chamber Vice President Jeff Pugliese said.
Augustine said it is a true honor to receive the award, one he believes also goes to everyone with which he served. After he was drafted, he did 10 months of training and “we became brothers; we were from all over the country.”
“You hold a bond for your whole life, for the military, for friends and who you serve with,” Augustine said. “I carry this with me for my whole life.”
Augustine said that he is “so proud my peers choose me” and he will continue to “serve like I have been.”
“Everything I do, I try to relate to the friendships and service and (those) in need, especially the DAV (Disabled American Veterans),” he said. “It effected my whole life and family.”
Like the man for whom the award is named, Augustine has had a career overflowing with actions on behalf of others.
A Middletown native, Augustine graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and then continued his education first at then Central Connecticut State College (now a university) and the University of Connecticut.
He was drafted in 1965 and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam the next year, according to information supplied by Pugliese.
Augustine served with the Fourth Infantry Division in War Zone C, the area northwest of Saigon.
When he came home in 1967, Augustine graduated from the Programming and Systems Institute and went to work for Pratt & Whitney.
After five years with the engine maker, Augustine struck out on his own, opening No Leak Roofing.
But it was his work with and on behalf of veterans that earned him the Pomfret award, Pugliese said.
Augustine has been a member of Veterans of the Vietnam War, Catholic War Veterans Post 1166, the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Post 75.
He held a variety of roles in each of those groups.
He is also a board member of the Greater Middletown Military Museum.
Through his membership in the American legion, Augustine has participated in talks in local schools, and at retirement and nursing homes, Pugliese said.
He is a member of the Veterans Writing Group at the Russell Library and has led and/or participated in veterans’ seminars in Wallingford, Chester and at the Rocky Hill Veterans Home.
As a member of the Middletown Elks Lodge No. 771, Augustine has organized a kayaking program for disabled veterans on Lake Beseck.
Augustine also is “an accomplished athlete,” Pugliese said taking part in indoor rowing events.
For these reasons and many more, the chamber is proud to present the Pomfret award to Augustine, Pugliese said.
In announcing the award, Chamber President Larry McHugh said, “Jerry Augustine is a proud veteran who served our country with distinction.
“He also has a remarkable record of community service and is a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.”
Augustine will receive the award at the Chamber’s annual Support the Troops and Honor the Veterans Member Breakfast Meeting on Nov. 2.
The meeting will be held virtually due the COVID-19 pandemic.