New England Patriots honor veterans at Gillette Stadium
FOXBORO - It was a Veterans Day honor that Gold Star Wife Maureen England wishes her Marine husband lived to see himself.
"My husband died holding my hand. It means a lot to me," England told WBZ-TV.
The Kraft family, Patriots Foundation and Cross Insurance spent Veterans Day 2022 honoring those who fought in the Vietnam War - an era that Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he connects with.
"You all here today represent 2.7 million men and women who served in Vietnam but once again who didn't get the right welcome you needed when you came back here," Kraft said.
Kraft shook every hand as the ceremony recognized 30 Vietnam War veterans in a pinning ceremony and luncheon at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. One of those veterans was Marine Richard J. Flippin.
"He was a Purple Heart holder. We miss him desperately. It's been almost three years," said his wife, England.
England said the commemorative pin is meaningful because after returning from Vietnam, Flippin never had a restful night as he suffered severe PTSD until his passing in 2020.
"If you can imagine," England explained. "He returned home from Vietnam in 1971 and suffered every day of his life until the day that he died."
The lasting effects of war, England said, without a proper thank you or welcome home. Until now.
"We do what we can, but it's probably not enough to celebrate our veterans and their families," said Josh Kraft of the Kraft Family Philanthropies.
For Gold Star Wives like England, it's the recognition for their service and sacrifice that these veterans and their families deserve.
"So honored. It's long overdue," said England. "I wish he was here to accept the honor himself."
