A fitting honor for Cpl. Scott Procopio

Scott Procopio paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life defending the country he loved. This past weekend his hometown showed its appreciation by turning out in droves to witness the American Legion post officially renamed the Marine Cpl. Scott J. Procopio Saugus American Legion Post 210.

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.

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.

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.”