PORT ALLEGANY — “He was always professional and caring,”
said secondary school principal Marc Budd, who spoke of the Port
Allegany Junior-Senior High School staff member commonly called
“Mr. B.” by students and staff while he served as school nurse
there.
Budd was among those who shared memories and thoughts of Lt.
Col. Richard J. Berrettini at ceremonies on the school grounds,
Friday evening, shortly after a short exercise at the new U.S.
Route 6 bridge that carries the federal highway over the Allegheny
River at Port Allegany. The bridge was dedicated to the memory of
the Pennsylvania National Guard officer and nurse instructor who
died of wounds suffered in Afghanistan in December of 2007.
State Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, was master of
ceremonies and one of the speakers. He called Berrettini a true
hero, while acknowledging that the ceremony and accolades seemed at
odds with Berrettini’s well-known humble, quiet way of conducting
himself.
Causer said that Berrettini “took seriously his responsibility
to make the world a better, safer place, not just for his family
and friends but for every single one of us here tonight, for every
single person across this Commonwealth … and in these great United
States of America,” Causer said.
“He took so seriously that responsibility that he was willing to
make the ultimate sacrifice for it. It doesn’t get any more heroic
than that,” Causer added.
Vincent Berrettini, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force as an
officer and a pilot, deployed in southwest Asia when news came of
his father’s grave injuries, recalled that at the time he had just
landed from a flight. He was taken off the flying schedule and
assisted to join his father and other family.
Stating that his father “was never one for formalities and
ceremony,” Vincent Berrettini expressed the family’s appreciation
of the candlelight vigil that had been held on the Port Allegany
Square by many who were hoping and praying for Lt. Col.
Berrettini’s recovery, the local memorial service held for him
after he lost his battle for life, as well as the planning and
efforts that had gone into Friday’s ceremony, and the audience for
coming to honor the beloved school nurse.
All told, Berrettini served the local school system about 15
years, first in the elementary school, then in the junior-senior
high school. News of his serious burns and then of his death
shocked and saddened students, parents, colleagues and the
community, two and a half years ago. A campaign was mounted to have
the new Route 6 bridge named in his honor.
Other speakers were Lt. Col. Reagan Shaboski of the Pennsylvania
National Guard, and Lt. Gov. Joseph Scarnati, R-Brockway’s, aide
Larry Persing. The Rev. Evon McJunkin gave the invocation, and
Timothy Hess gave the closing prayer.
The high school concert band played the national anthem and
other patriotic music, led by director Brad Stewart. The local
American Legion and VFW organizations provided an honor guard and
performed placing and retiring of the colors, and a 21-gun salute.
The auxiliaries were on hand too, and in evidence at the reception
held at the local Veterans Memorial hall.
A sign noting the bridge’s new name had been unveiled at the
bridge. A replica was unveiled at the ceremony at the athletic
field, with family members doing the honors.
