BORN ON THE THIRD OF JULY

“Don’t make a fuss — it’s just another day.”

That was my dad’s comment just before his birthday last week, but we couldn’t disagree more.

The “just another day,” was July 3rd, his 109th birthday. He is the oldest World War II veteran in the state, and records indicate he is the second oldest in the country.

Family and friends came to visit him over the weekend at his Cranston home and light as many candles as we could fit a on a large cake decorated in red, white and blue and adorned with small American flags.

Henry grew up during the Great Depression, joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country for nearly four years, and returned home to meet the love of his life, Eleanor, and raised two daughters in Cranston. He has typed his memoirs on his computer, given interviews to local news media, and received citations for his service and longevity. This year, the highlight of his birthday weekend was a visit from U. S. Senator Jack Reed.

The Senator, a graduate of West Point and former Company Commander in the 82 Airborne Division, has always shown great support for the men and women who have served our country — and he was clearly interested in Henry’s stories from World War II. Reed arrived without fuss or fanfare at Henry’s home, and the two sat side by side and chatted like old friends.

“One hundred and nine years young, Henry Polichetti is a hometown hero,” Reed said after the visit. “A Providence native and the son of Italian immigrants, he answered the call to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II and settled in Cranston after the war. It was an honor to spend time with Henry and the entire Polichetti family to mark this milestone and celebrate Henry’s 109th birthday. I am grateful to Henry and all the members of the Greatest Generation for their remarkable contributions to Rhode Island and the nation.”

Reed gave Henry a citation and a heartfelt letter. We think it was the perfect birthday gift.

The letter reads:

Dear Mr. Polichetti:

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on your 109th Birthday! This certainly is an historic milestone and I am delighted to pay tribute to you on this most noteworthy event. Today, as you mark this occasion, you have the distinction of being the oldest known man and veteran in the State of Rhode Island and are the second oldest living American World War II veteran.

Born in 1915 to Italian Immigrant parents, you and your four siblings spent your early days in a flat in Federal Hill. Even as a young person you had a fascination with radios. You attended night school and took a course in Radio Repairing and earned a FCC Radio License. At the age of 26, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, you joined the US Navy and attended basic training at the Newport Naval Training Station. Your first assignment was as an Instructor at the Naval Radio Operators School in Pennsylvania. In 1943, you transferred to the Direction Finder School in Casco Maine - a top-secret school where you taught servicemen how to utilize the newest technology to locate U-boats and detect enemy threats. You then were transferred to teach at the Loran School at the Pacific Fleet Training Center in Pearl Harbor — remaining there until Germany surrendered in 1945 and after Japan surrendered following the dropping of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Although in jest you describe yourself as ‘the sailor who never went to sea’ - your knowledge, skills, and expertise in the training of heroic service personnel was greatly valued by American Armed Forces and you can indeed be credited with making a significant contribution to the war effort. As a West Point graduate and Chairman of the United States Senate Armed Services Committee, I am delighted to recognize your many outstanding achievements and dedication to ensuring the freedom and future of this great country.

Returning to civilian life, you married your girlfriend Eleanor Fazzi and made your home in the City of Cranston where you still reside today. Your lives were blessed with two daughters, Eleanor and Barbara, and a wonderful family. After your career in the Navy, you went to work as the Personnel Director at Trifari Jewelry and had the unique honor of crafting a custom necklace for First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, which she wore at the Presidential Inaugural Ball. Today, that showpiece is displayed in the Smithsonian.

Mr. Polichetti, you have had a long and storied life which has made a significant contribution to our State and the Nation. You have been a witness to history — having lived through World War I, Prohibition, the Great Depression, World War II, and on through to the modern era.

As you mark this day, I am honored to join with your family and friends who gather together to celebrate your 109th birthday. I join with a grateful State and Nation in paying tribute to you on your good citizenship. Indeed, I commend you on full life, well lived.

Please accept my personal best wishes for continued happiness and much fulfillment. Happy 109th Birthday, Mr. Polichetti.

Sincerely,

Jack Reed

United States Senator

Editor’s Note: Barbara Polichetti, a Cranston native, is a regular contributor to Beacon Media publications.