Alfred (Al) Bucci is 102 years old, a decorated World War II Veteran and not slowing down anytime soon. He is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7472 in Ellicott City and can be found participating with his local Veterans at events around the area.

“I recently walked into the Woodstock Inn with another Veteran who fought in Korea,” he says. “The people there saw my WWII hat and called out, ‘Thank you for your service.’ My reply was, “I appreciate that, thank you. But those who also need to be thanked are the parents, grandparents, families and many others who worked tirelessly to supply those in service with guns, ammunition, tanks, aircraft and especially badly needed ships after Pearl Harbor that made our U.S. Navy the strongest in the world. These folks also deserve thanks. We couldn’t have won without them.”

Mr. Bucci’s military service began when he enlisted in the army in 1942. He was assigned to the 99^th Infantry Division Artillery and deployed to central Europe, where he served as a switchboard operator ensuring communications between front line artillery and division headquarters. Private First Class Bucci’s division played a key role during the Battle of the Bulge on December 16, 1944, and managed to hold back the German attack despite the significant losses sustained during battle.

On March 13, 1945, PFC Bucci was crossing the Rhine River during the Battle of Remagen when he was wounded and treated at a field hospital. Despite this setback, his career was not over. He rejoined his unit and continued to fight heroically in the Battle of Ruhr. He continued to serve through the end of the war on VE-Day. Over the course of WWII, his division freed three Prisoner of War camps and participated in the liberation of Nazi concentration camps, including Waldlager camp, a subcamp of Dachau. He returned home in October 1945.

Today, Mr. Bucci is proud of his service and grateful to those who continue to lend their support to the troops. Most recently, he joined us for the groundbreaking of the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument in Downtown Columbia, and it was an honor to celebrate this milestone with him.

“The Monument is a true tribute to Veterans of all wars and service and their families which supported them with sacrifice, prayers and pride, as well as those who worked to supply and maintain the military,” says Mr. Bucci. “It is to be a place of remembrance and reflection for Veterans, families and friends for generations to come.”

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Our very own foundation Vice Chair Wanda Riddle was recently profiled by WMAR-2 News Baltimore! Learn more about her inspiring career as a woman in the Navy, her continued work with the Howard County Veterans Foundation and why the monument means so much to her.

Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Greenfield has lived an exemplary life. Now 104 years old, the U.S. Army Veteran served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. “I served for 30 years, one month and 17 days,” says Lt. Col. Greenfield. “I know my history.”

The country has changed a lot during Lt. Col. Greenfield’s lifetime. He was born in 1920 and grew up in the south during the Jim Crow era. His high school was segregated and under-resourced, but he rose above the challenges and went on to attend Tennessee State University to study history, social science and physical science. He graduated in 1941 and enlisted in the Army in 1943.

“I really didn’t volunteer, I was told to show up,” says Lt. Col. Greenfield. “But it was my duty to perform, and I did what I thought was part of my duty. I stayed on for two reasons. One, the lack of employment for Black people during that period, and two, to help support my family.”

Initially, he trained at Camp Pickett in Virginia and several other camps on the East Coast before his segregated unit shipped out to England amidst the Battle of the Bulge. During World War II, he served as a platoon sergeant with a supply company in Germany and ended his tour in Austria. He was discharged in 1945 and then called to serve in Korea in 1950. He remained in the Army for the next two decades.

Lt. Col. Greenfield rose through the ranks despite the barriers posed by systemic racism. According to the Baltimore Sun, “During that time in the military, Greenfield said Black college graduates faced additional discrimination from white higher-ups, who resented their education. Despite applying for Officer Candidate School numerous times starting in the 1940s, it wasn’t until he earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Denver in 1957 that supervisors felt he had enough expertise.” In 1963, he was finally promoted from master sergeant to captain, eventually achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was honorably discharged in 1973.

In 1963, while stationed at Fort Meade, Lt. Col. Greenfield and his family moved to Columbia. “It was a growing community, and lots of people were anxious to live there because of its diversity and the cost of a good home,” he said. “I’ve been here ever since. I like the community. I like the diversity. It was a very nice place to settle.”

Lt. Col. Greenfield looks forward to having the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument right in his community. “I have to go to Washington, D.C., to see service monuments now. When I do go, it brings back memories, and I feel honored that they are there,” he says. “We don’t get too much credit for our service, but I feel very proud of it. I gave all that I could, and I would do it again.”

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“For me, the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument means a lot because it will remind the younger generation what the past generation went through to give them the life they have. It will be a physical reminder of the sacrifices that were made for their freedom today.

My story is a testament to those sacrifices. I was born in the boondocks and hunted and fished my whole life until I joined the Navy at 17. I was inspired by my dad, who was a WWI Veteran. My service began in 1942 on the USS Edwards. I was a horizon lookout at the top of the mast, and I had to spot ships through binoculars.

We were in 15 major engagements – the most out of any ship in the Navy at that time. I remember our first engagement. One night, I made a report that I saw friendly fire star shells on the starboard beam. The captain responded that they were actually tracers. It was 20 Japanese bombers coming in to sink the heavy cruiser USS Chicago, and we were there to help rescue the crew.

In January 1945, I was transferred off the ship to California for training in underwater demolition as we prepared for the invasion of Okinawa. I was ashore in the first wave of that battle. All hell broke loose, and I was wounded. I remember walking out of the cave in Okinawa and then, suddenly, I was waking up in Treasure Island Hospital in San Francisco. It was three months later. I can’t remember anything else in between that time, despite trying.

After the war, I got a degree in education and enjoyed a career as a teacher. The Navy gave me that opportunity – I likely would have been a miner or a lumberjack if it hadn’t been for my service. At one point, I even wanted to be a professional baseball player. All of this is to say that military service opened doors. For some, it was access to education. For others, it was a way to simply get a pair of shoes and three meals a day.

At 101 years old, I’m retired now, but I recently spoke to a group of 8th graders about WWII and why it’s still relevant. My biggest point was that the war was about freedom. Without the service of my generation, we wouldn’t have life as we know it today. It’s difficult for the younger generation to understand the sacrifices we went through during the war. We went without food, without sleep, day after day after day, never knowing if you would wake up in the morning. It was really hard to experience the really deep feeling of the real cause of the war. I hope that our youth will visit the monument and appreciate what the past generations did for them.”

–Howard Baroudi, U.S. Navy Veteran

Want to hear more of Howard’s story? Click here to listen to his interview with the WWII Museum. Want to share what the monument means to you? Click here to tell your story! Want to help us finish the mission? Click here to make a donation to the monument campaign.

For Lois and Debra, the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument is a poignant reminder of their father, the late Colonel Louis John Schott, a United States Marine Corps Veteran, and the values he instilled in them.

“My dad fought in World War II and was a part of the greatest generation,” said Debra. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1920, and the youngest of eight children, Schott graduated from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, joined the Marine Corps and was commissioned an infantry officer in 1943.

Schott was deployed to the Pacific, where he led 44 Marines in the bitter Battle of Peleliu in September 1944. The battle was expected to last four days but stretched to more than two months. After a week and a half of fighting, only ten of the original 44 Marines remained. Then, Schott himself was hit by explosives. He was medically evacuated and earned a Purple Heart. After recovering from his wounds, he was sent back into action.

On June 20, 1945, as a rifle company commander in the Battle of Okinawa, Schott exposed himself to enemy fire when he noticed Japanese forces reinforcing a position on a hill through a surrounding cave system. He jumped into action to help eliminate the cave system and then took the hill.

His actions earned him a Silver Star, the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces. According to the citation, “He formulated a plan whereby his objective was taken with minimal friendly casualties. By his aggressive initiative and able leadership, 2nd Lt. Schott saved the lives of many of his Marines and Sailors.”

After the war, Schott joined the Marine Corps Reserve, where he served until his retirement at the rank of Colonel. As a civilian he worked as a management analyst for the Social Security Administration and retired in 1977. In his later years, Colonel Schott was very active in Howard County military organizations, including membership in Adams, Hanna, Moore Memorial American Legion Post 156 and VFW Yingling-Ridgely Post 7472 – both in Ellicott City, Maryland.

He and his wife, Regina, had five daughters: Eileen Yaeger, Patricia Turner, Debra Hinds, Lauren Tyler, and Lois Beglan. At the time of his passing, the 102-year-old was considered the oldest ranking U.S. Marine Corps officer.

“The Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument reminds me that father was a part of history,” says Lois. “It reminds me of the lessons he taught me that are not recognized enough today.”

Debra adds, “It’s so important that we never forget the heroism that these men and women showed during their service. They saved our country and other countries from evil. They were brave young men and women, and our country owes them a debt of gratitude to valiant service members.”

Shared in memory of Colonel Louis John Schott, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran.

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“As a student who has actively campaigned to uplift Veterans’ stories in Howard County since 2018, I am delighted to support this monument being built. It symbolizes remembrance and honor of Veterans from all military branches, as well as their families’ contributions in this beloved community. For those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, citizens of Howard County will gather around this monument and give thanks, each and every day. Students especially will learn about the significance of Veterans’ heroic actions through this important campaign.

“My work with the Veterans community is intertwined with my passion for mental health advocacy. Growing up in a competitive school environment, I can’t remember the age I started to worry about college. I can’t remember exactly when I began comparing test scores, checking and rechecking my GPA, or being weighed down by the sheer workload. Looking back, I realize most of the pressure did not come from my parents, teachers, or friends—but from me.

“Then, the day after major college decisions in 2018, I heard the news: a beloved senior at our school had tragically taken his life. As unexpected as it was, his suicide was not the first one to happen in our community, but I knew I must take action to make it the last.

“Our insufficient societal response to mental health plagues me. Every day, teens are expected to carry the burden of excellence in a variety of environments such as school and extracurriculars, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress that are never truly addressed in educational institutions. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person social connections and crucial support systems, further exacerbating the issue. Even when we do discuss mental health, it’s often glossed over as a stigma, an abnormality that manifests as a loud and clear crisis. This blatantly ignores the silent symptoms, including withdrawing from social situations or loved ones.

“Where do Veterans come into this picture? Far too often we don’t see or acknowledge their efforts to preserve our country. It is clear that Veterans embody values that all of us strive for: courage, perseverance and a drive to succeed. As unsung heroes, countless Veterans struggle and have struggled with mental health, years after their acts of service. Countless Veterans don’t receive the resources, counselors or financial reimbursement they need to get back on their feet. Yet they still try, every day, to get up.

“The symbiotic relationship between us students and honored Veterans is a beautiful one—it keeps giving and giving back. Veterans adore being surrounded by youthful spirit, while students take away many messages of courage and resilience by hearing wartime experiences. Especially for that one teenager who may feel adrift in a raging storm of responsibilities, there is hope to be found in hearing words of wisdom, both on and off the battlefield, from a Veteran.”

Written by Naomi Ling, founder of Students Partner with Veterans

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“The Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument is important to me and should be for all Americans to honor our Veterans. I am an Army Veteran, 82nd Airborne, and I have two brothers and a son who also served. The Korean War had just ended when I graduated from high school. I joined the Army in 1953 and began my 16 weeks of Basic Training at Fort Dix. In the spring, I transferred to Fort Bragg. It was during Basic Training that I was recruited to go airborne. I’ll never forget the presentation. After explaining the value of going airborne and what it meant to the country, I signed up.

“I turned 90 recently, so I’ve seen Vietnam and Korea, and I even remember World War II. Many family members served. I had an uncle who was 45 when he was drafted into World War II. He had a business, so he had not been drafted previously. He had about a month of training, and then they sent him to France. Within two weeks, he was wounded and back home. Another uncle was in the Navy, and a third was in the Army.

“The Armed Services are essential and important to me. We send young men and women to the most dangerous places in the world. They need to be honored. From the moment I saw the monument design, I knew how significant it would be for the Veterans. I am excited to see it happen in Howard County and proud to support it.”

Written by J. Edward Hamel, Army Veteran and Chairman of Hamel Builders

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“We helped to keep the Cold War cold at its peak by answering the President of the United States’ Key Intelligence Question in 1973 regarding Soviet multiple (MIRV) nuclear warhead capability on long range missiles. The answer was yes. Forty years later, this mission was officially declassified, and the story could be shared. The answer directly influenced the SALT II negotiations under Secretary of State Kissinger to mutually limit thermonuclear weapons delivery and MIRVs.

Using only long-range missiles across continents, up to 7,500 thermonuclear warheads could be accurately delivered in roughly seventeen minutes. This peak capability was unstoppable and roughly 7,500,000 times as powerful as the first Hiroshima atomic bomb. SALT II mutually reduced that capability.

My wife of four years and my one-year-old son would be impacted by my absence and our separation while I served on a remote Aleutian Island directly under falling Soviet test warheads.

I received a medal signed by the director of the National Security Agency for this effort, but the true reward is being able to enjoy breathing the fresh air and feeling the warmth of the sun without suffering from fallout radiation and a nuclear winter blocking sunlight a half century later. Perhaps the sacrifice of my time and my family at the age of twenty-seven helped to keep the Cold War cold.

The monument reminds me of my wife, who succumbed to cancer, and my estranged one-year old son, who probably could not understand my absence because I would return a stranger. They could not be told the importance of such a mission in 1973.”

Written by Roger Chang, U.S. Army Veteran

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“This monument will be a special gathering place. I can imagine sitting on the benches around the monument with my grandchildren, people talking to each other and connecting. It’s nice for someone to say, ‘tell me about your loved one.’ It’s meaningful for others to know a family, who lost someone, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. This continues to increase the respect and kindness which is already a part of our community.” 

Written by Penny Flecker

In Memory of 1LT Norman T. Flecker (pictured left)
United States Army Aviation

Died June 30, 1998, in a weather-related helicopter crash in the Republic of South Korea

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