Hardy named parade marshal; Len Dube to be honored

The city of Torrington has chosen James E. “Jim” Hardy as this year’s honorary parade marshal for Monday’s Memorial Day parade.

The city is also honoring the late Len Dube, a veteran who dedicated himself to other veterans after many years of service to the armed forces, who died earlier this year. The following was submitted by members of the Torrington Veterans Service office.

James E. (Jim) Hardy, Private 1st Class U.S. Marines, Camp Lejune, Vietnam Combat

James (Jim) E. Hardy was born on August 26, 1951 in Baytown Texas to the late A.B. & Marion Montgomery. He graduated from Bolsa Grande High School in California, then attended Arizona State University on a full football scholarship, playing tight end for the Sun Devils and majoring in psychology.

Hardy joined the United States Marine Corps in 1968, completed basic training at Parris Island in South Carolina. He then transferred to Camp Lejeune for Marksmanship training, where he earned a Sharpshooter Rifle Badge and Pistol Marksman Badge. In late 1968 he was deployed with the 2nd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment H Company to Da Nang Vietnam.

During a night operation in December of 1970, his unit engaged in combat with the Viet Cong. He was shot several times, nearly losing his leg, for which he received the Purple Heart. In addition to the Purple Heart he received the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and various other medals

and badges. He completed his active duty in 1972 at Camp Pendleton in California.

Hardy moved to Torrington in 1988 where he met his wife Sarah (Sidelinger) Hardy. He and Sarah have been married 26 years.

Hardy retired from O&G Industries in November 2013. He is an active member of the Sokol Club and Sullivan Senior Center in Torrington.

Awards and Decorations: Purple Heart; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame; Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Star; Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device; Combat Action Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal; US Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Pistol Marksman Badge; Sharpshooter Rifle Badge.

In Memoriam: Leonard F. Dube, Sergeant Major U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, USA CT Army Reserve National Guard, Korea/ Vietnam/Persian Gulf

Len Dube was born in Worcester, MA on Nov. 28, 1935, soon after, his family moved to Torrington. Dube attended St. Francis School, Oliver Wolcott Technical School and the University of Connecticut. In August of 1953 he enlisted in the Army where he served in Company “A”, 159th Boat Battalion on a landing ship tank (LST) during the Korean War. He was discharged from active duty in 1955 completing his enlistment in the Army Reserve before transitioning to the United States Air Force and its Reserve where during the Vietnam War he served as a Combat Controller.

Dube met his wife Marilyn during a deployment to Spain and they were married on October 1, 1988 at Westover Air Force Base during a Dining Out.

When Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm broke out in August 1990, Dube had achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant where he served as Air Transportation Manager in the 439th Combat Support Squadron at Westover Air Force Base managing over 150 active duty, reserve and civilian personnel. He retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant in September 1992 with nearly 40 years of dedicated service to his country.

Throughout his military career, Dube completed more than 50 parachute jumps in numerous countries around the world, including but not limited to Israel, Guatemala, El Salvador, South Africa, Netherlands, Taiwan, and Thailand.

In 1994, Dube was asked to take charge as Director of the City of Torrington Veterans Service Office, which he did, recruiting volunteers to assist veterans and their families through the Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Marine Fund as well as obtaining VA benefits, awards and decorations, military records, and many other veteran related issues.

Awarded the rank of Sergeant Major by the Connecticut Army National Guard to assist in military final honors in 1994, Dube recruited veterans to form the Northwestern Connecticut Military Final Honors Squads where he performed in more than 6,000 military final honors services. He was awarded Top Honor Guard Leader and Top Honor Guard in the State for 2005.

In civilian life, Dube was a tool-and-die maker hired at Torin Corporation in 1960. He became a member of UAW Local 507 and became involved in his local, holding a series of elected positions beginning in 1965. He was elected department steward, sergeant-at-arms, shop chairman and vicepresident. In 1969, he was elected president of Local 507, a position he held until 1973. He was also active in the Torrington Area Community Action Program, serving as its chairman from 1970 to 1974 and its president from 1972 to 1975. That year, UAW President Leonard Woodcock recognized Dube’s taDubets as a union and political activist and appointed him to the staff of UAW Region 9A as an International Representative. He retired from the UAW in 1992.

In retirement, Dube was instrumental in co-creating a local cable TV program called “Veterans Views” where veterans could learn about access to benefits and other military assistance programs. Additionally, he lobbied Torrington City officials and secured a total of $20,000 tax exemptions for veterans in the city.

He was a member of the American Legion, American Legion Riders, and the VFW. An avid Harley rider, he enjoyed riding up and down the coast of Florida.

Sergeant Major Dube is survived by his loving family, soulmate and wife Marilyn, a brother Ron Dube, and a sister Janice Nelson, 2 children, 3 step-children, 10 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren, godchildren and his rescue dogs Marvin and Petey. He was pre-deceased by 2 sons. Additionally he leaves many relatives and friends in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Florida.

With respect and appreciation of Sergeant Major Dube’s outstanding service to God and Country he will be forever memorialized in his closing words: “I’ll keep you posted – we’re clear.”

Awards and decorations:

•Meritorious Service Medal with device; US Air Force Commendation Medal; US Air Force Achievement Medal; US Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 devices; US Army Good Conduct Award with Bronze Conduct Knots; US Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Air Force Recognition Medal; National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star; Vietnam Service Medal; Air Force Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award with 7 devices; Army Sea Duty Ribbon; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronze Star; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with device; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Bar; Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Award with 4 devices; Kuwait Liberation Medal; Connecticut Wartime Service Medal.