SOUTHWICK – A dedication ceremony was held in the auditorium of the Southwick Regional School on Friday morning to honor a fallen veteran and former Southwick High School student.
Richard Power, who was killed in action on August 8, 1966 during the Vietnam War, attended Southwick High School in the 1960’s. Before he was set to graduate in 1965, Power enlisted in the U.S. Army.
In May, a dedication ceremony was held at the Southwick Regional School to honor Power, William Alamed Jr., Stephen Wentworth, and Travis Fuller. All four veterans died while serving their country, and either lived or went to school in Southwick.
Family and friends of Richard Power are given Power’s high school diploma during the ceremony on Friday morning. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
During the ceremony in May, Alamed Jr., Wentworth, and Fuller were honored with plaques. Having found out just before the May ceremony that Power did in fact attend Southwick High School, it was too late to honor him with a plaque as well.
The ceremony for Power on Friday allowed the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District to honor him properly.
“We acknowledged Richard at the memorial presentation, but wanted to do a personalized ceremony for him on Veterans Day so that he was represented and his family could take part in the ceremony as well,” said Superintendent Jen Willard.
Along with Power’s friends and family in attendance for the ceremony, the entire Southwick Regional School student body was present. Southwick town officials were also in attendance.
Willard spoke to begin the event and expressed her gratitude for Power’s service to his country.
“I just want to thank Richard for his service and making the ultimate sacrifice,” said Willard.
Southwick Regional School Principal Joe Turmel also spoke and had a student deliver Power’s high school diploma to his family, who were sitting in the front row.
It wasn’t just school officials who spoke at the ceremony. Steven Putnam, a friend and high school classmate of Power, spoke about how important it was to honor him.
Family and friends are able to view the unveiling of Power’s plaque. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“Like many veterans, Richard was very humble,” said Putnam. “You’re not a statistic, people need to remember.”
A veteran himself, Putnam felt that Friday’s event helped the community remember the many veterans that have lost their lives to protect our freedom.
“You put a face on the people we lose,” said Putnam. “It was great to see him included.”
Power’s sister, Margaret Benoit, couldn’t believe how the ceremony turned out.
“I was flabbergasted, I never expected anything like this,” said Benoit.
Dave Matchett, a second cousin of Power’s, grew up with him and remembers going to church with him and singing in the choir together. Matchett was encouraged by the way the ceremony was organized and honored his cousin.
“It’s a nice thing that they did,” said Matchett. “You’d like to see it more often.”
According to Willard, the four plaques are expected to be put up together in the next week or so. The display of the plaques is called the Veterans Memorial Foyer, and are located on a wall just inside the front entrance of Southwick Regional School.
