A fitting honor for Cpl. Scott Procopio

A fitting honor for Cpl. Scott Procopio

By Mike Gaffney/mgaffney@cnc.com

Wed Jun 27, 2007, 04:41 PM EDTStumbleUpon

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Several hundred family members, enlisted military personnel, veterans, local officials and residents showed up at the American Legion building Saturday morning to observe the historic rededication ceremony.

The bystanders were all on hand to honor Procopio, the Saugus native and Marine corporal who was killed in April 2006 by a roadside bomb in the insurgent hotbed of Ramadi, Iraq. A veteran machine-gunner, he was riding in the last vehicle of a convoy when the explosive detonated below the Humvee, killing him and three fellow members of the Marine Corps Third Battalion, 8th Division.

Invited guests took their seats as the U.S. Navy Band Northeast entertained onlookers with patriotic songs such as “God Bless America.” Before long Taylor Street was transformed into a sea of red, white and blue as veterans and small children alike proudly held American flags that rippled in the strong summer winds.

A brand new sign, created by students at the Northeast Regional Vocational High School, is unveiled by Marines from Scott Procopio’s unit during the rededication ceremony.Matt Mattoon

The Marine Corps Ordinance Contact Team 1 got things started with a grand entrance featuring a marching on of the colors. The Navy band followed with a stirring rendition of the National Anthem that led up to an invocation offered by Cliftondale Congregational Church Pastor Bob Leroe.

In his welcoming remarks, Post 210 Commander Arthur “Butch” Cummings set the tone by touching on the rich history of the 169-year-old building the American Legion now calls home. After serving as the original Town Hall and many other functions during its first century of existence, the building was occupied by the American Legion in 1931 and still houses that veterans organization today.

U.S. Navy Capt. Stephen Castinetti, who served as the keynote speaker, called the rededication a once-in-a-lifetime event that will be remembered by future generations.

Castinetti recalled how on April 2, 2006 the community was rocked with the news of Procopio’s death, an event that triggered memories among residents about the sacrifices of past wars.

For those who didn’t know Procopio individually, Castinetti spoke a little bit about him as a person. He shared how he attended Saugus public schools and joined the Marines in January 2004, a mere eight months after graduating from high school.

One year later Procopio reported to duty at Camp Fallujah in Iraq. Castinetti recollected how exactly a year before his death Procopio played a key role in repelling an insurgent attack at the Abu Ghraib prison and was eventually decorated for his actions.

In March 2006 Procopio was redeployed to Iraq, Castinetti explained, this time to the dangerous city of Ramadi 50 miles outside of Baghdad. It was a month into his second tour of duty when the Marine was killed during the roadside bomb attack.

Tragedies such as this have been playing out in cities and towns across the country, Castinetti said. He emphasized that the heroism these troops displayed must always be remembered, which is what he believes the rededication of Post 210 in honor of Procopio accomplishes.

“In this small way he will not be forgotten,” Castinetti said. “Even if memories fade over time, his name will be permanent, a constant reminder to Saugonians for generations to come.”

Through death, Castinetti said Procopio would bring life to Post 210, stressing the ceremony represents a rebirth of the veterans’ organization.

 ‘Courage and Sacrifice’

Procopio’s unit commander in Iraq, Marine Maj. Andrew DelGaudio, praised his fallen comrade for his character and resolve in the face of adversity.

Degrees of toughness are judged in the military depending on how comfortable troops are being around you, and DelGaudio said Procopio personified that trait because Marines in his unit always felt safe when he was close.

The major also credited Procopio for his tremendous leadership abilities. He harkened back to one morning when he saw the then-lance corporal training riflemen on how to operate machine guns. He called Procopio a natural leader and shortly after seeing him interact with fellow troops, promoted him to the rank of corporal.

“The smartest decision I’ve ever made was making that kid a corporal,” DelGaudio remarked.

By dedicating Post 210 in memory of Procopio, future generations will be able to look at the building and understand the character, virtue and spirit the fallen Marine embodied, said DelGaudio.

At the conclusion of his remarks, DelGaudio introduced a few men who he described as his own personal heroes. They were the soldiers who served with Procopio in Iraq and made the trip to Saugus for the ceremony — Cpl. Donald Briere, Cpl. Justin Carlisle, Sgt. John Strobridge and Lance Cpl. Rex McKnight, the latter the sole survivor in the Humvee explosion that killed Procopio.

‘We can’t forget them’

More than a year has passed since he lost his son, but Kevin Procopio said it still doesn’t seem possible Scott died on those dusty streets in Ramadi, Iraq.

Kevin Procopio took a few moments to thank all of the military men and women who are fighting or fought on foreign soil. He went on to lament that these heroes only seem to be memorialized when they come back in a body bag.

When it comes to the troops, Kevin Procopio implored civilians to keep in mind the risks they willingly take and to thank God many of them are still with us today.

“We owe them some sort of permanent expression of our gratitude, we can’t forget them and what they’re doing,” Kevin Procopio said.

Following Kevin Procopio’s remarks the Lynn English High School Marine Corps ROTC drill team impressed the audience with their ability to handle rifles in tandem.

State and local representatives of the American Legion then walked up to the podium to sign the new charter bearing Scott Procopio’s name. Members of the Procopio family were invited to the table to take part in this historic moment.

Another highlight came a few moments later when Marines from Scott Procopio’s unit pulled down a sheet to unveil a brand-new blue and gold sign on the front of the American Legion building that reads “Cpl. Scott J. Procopio Saugus Post 210.”

A flag emblazoned with the new colors was then presented and a gold star banner was hung in a window.

The ceremony concluded with Marines handing Scott Procopio’s widow, Kristal Procopio, a folded American flag.

Once it was over, people took turns entering the American Legion building to look at a cabinet filled with personal items that belonged to Scott Procopio, including medals, awards, boots, swords, helmets and photos.

Many marveled over the exquisite detail in a painting Kevin Procopio created of his son in full military uniform. The painting is destined to hang above the fireplace inside the American Legion post.

Family and friends congregated in the parking lot and enjoyed food and refreshments while they talked about the ceremony. Scott’s brother Michael Procopio, for one, was very impressed.

“It turned out perfect, didn’t it?” Michael Procopio said. “I thought it was flawless, it was everything it should have been.”

Scott Procopio

Thursday, April 06 2006 @ 07:26 AM EDT Contributed by: tomw Views: 2,627 Saugus Advertiser -- Returning to Iraq for a second tour of duty just a few weeks ago, Scott Procopio of Saugus paid the ultimate sacrifice. Procopio, an infantryman with the Third Battalion, Eighth Marine Regiment, was killed when his armored Humvee was destroyed by a roadside bomb in the town of Ramadi, about 70 miles west of Baghdad. The 20-year-old was manning a machine gun atop the vehicle, the last vehicle in the column, when a bomb detonated beneath it. Speaking for the Procopio family on the steps of Saugus Town Hall Monday afternoon, Scott's oldest brother, Michael, 22, said, "We're all extremely proud of Scott. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, and we're proud of the job he did." The flags flew at half-staff in Scott's memory as his brother described the challenges Scott sought by enlisting in the Marines. "Scott always wanted the toughest job. He wanted the hardest service," added Michael Procopio, who called Scott "my best friend, my brother, and a Marine." Scott's father, Kevin, was seated nearby as Michael spoke to the media. In early March, the Saugus marine was promoted from the rank of lance corporal to corporal before departing for his second tour of duty. He completed his first tour in Fallujah. The Procopio family learned of Scott's death Sunday night when Marines came to their door. Scott was a lifelong Saugus resident and a 2003 graduate of Saugus High School. He celebrated his marriage to Kristal (Cerbone) Procopio on Sept. 15, 2005. Kristal, a member of the Saugus High School Class of 2001, and Scott had lived off-base in Jacksonville, N.C. where he was stationed at Camp Lejeune. Scott also leaves behind his mother, Mary, and two younger brothers, Greg, 17, and Mark, 14. He is survived by two grandmothers as well, Fran Procopio of Saugus, and Marta Shautt of Hindsville, Arkansas. Scott was deployed to Iraq the first time in January 2005, returning to the states in August of 2005 with a chest full of ribbons, including several for valor in combat. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V" for his actions during the Abu Ghraib prison assault on April 2, 2005. "Scott wanted to go into the service. He wanted to be an infantryman. He was excited and challenged by the opportunity to serve," said his older brother. Family and friends say Scott was truly committed to doing his part to bring about positive change in Iraq. "Scott would send home e-mails about the long lines of people on voting day in Iraq," recalled Michael Procopio, who noted that Scott was "buoyed up" to be there on such occasions. Michael Procopio added that religion played a big role in his brother's life. "He came to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and he drew a tremendous amount of courage, security and strength from that relationship, and knowing that whatever happened, his future was secure." 'Looking to help' News of Scott's death sent shock waves throughout town. Word traveled quickly Monday morning at the high school, where Principal Joseph Diorio made counselors available to both students and teachers who had difficulty coming to grips with the tragedy. Scott's youngest brother Mark is a student at SHS. Diorio recalled Scott as an upbeat student who was well liked by his peers. "Everyone who knew him enjoyed his company," Diorio said. "The young man always had a smile on his face and was looking to help other people." High School teacher Greg MacDonald had Scott as a student in both his U.S. history class junior year and his economics class senior year. MacDonald struck up a friendship with Scott and remained close to him after he graduated in 2003. He was one of several teachers who Michael Procopio met with individually at the high school on Monday to break the news of his brother's death. MacDonald said he was aware that Scott returned to Iraq earlier last month because Scott's cousin is currently enrolled in one of his classes. Every time MacDonald saw a report of a Marine killed in action, he immediately thought of his former student. "The other day when I heard about the roadside bomb in the news I prayed that it wasn't Scott who was killed, but it was," MacDonald said. "I'm devastated - it's tough to even talk about this." In many ways, MacDonald said Scott was the typical teenager - a little mischievous but always respectful to his classmates and teachers. He added that Scott was very religious and close to his family, spending much of his free time working for his father's construction company. MacDonald shared one story that he feels accurately reflects the type of person Scott was. He remembered the year Scott showed up in his classroom after a vacation week sporting a tan. When MacDonald found out Scott spent the week in Mexico, he asked him what resort he stayed at. Scott replied that he spent the week building homes for underprivileged Mexican citizens, showing how at a young age, Scott was already looking out for others. When Scott had free time on his hands, he liked to work on classic cars and trucks. He really enjoyed rebuilding quads and motorcycles with parts he found on eBay, then turning around and selling them for a profit. Eventually Scott stepped up to tinkering with bigger vehicles. Michael Procopio said his brother spent many lazy afternoons mudding around the Vinegar Hill neighborhood in a Ford F250 pickup, and when he departed for the Marine Corps, he left a half-finished '78 Camaro sitting in the family garage. Cliftondale Congregational Church Pastor Bob Leroe, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who served as a chaplain in Operation Desert Storm and Bosnia, stressed the importance of honoring the contribution this fallen Marine made to his country. Leroe said Scott is the first Saugus soldier to die in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Due to the logistical complexities involved when a solider dies overseas, family members had yet to make funeral arrangements by the Advertiser's deadline. Michael Procopio did say the family intends to hold a full military service and burial in Saugus, the town Scott loved and gave his life to protect. "There's no greater test of character than laying down your life for your country, and that's what my brother did," Michael Procopio said. In lieu of flowers the family has set up the Cpl. Scott J. Procopio Memorial Scholarship Fund in his memory. The plan is to give the scholarship to a deserving Saugus High School student each year. Anyone interested in making a donation can mail a check to the Cpl. Scott J. Procopio Memorial Scholarship Fund, care of Saugusbank, PO Box 988, Saugus, Ma, 01906. In Memoriam