Chatham's Hometown Hero
Updated: July 20, 2012
CHATHAM -- One area veteran is using his wartime skills to honor his comrades. He's giving servicemen and women all over the world a chance to have their legacies set in stone. WCIA-3's Amanda Porterfield introduces us to a real Hometown Hero.
Throughout his lifetime, Tom Bartolomucci has designed just about everything.
"I've designed bridges and buildings and radar sites and everything else. I can do anything."
But, one of the things that means the most to this veteran is a memorial in Village Park. Chatham's American Legion asked him to build it to honor service members nationwide.
"Some guys are cooks, some are accountants. The accountants are doing the book work; well, I do this kind of stuff."
And he did. Every brick has a name. Every name has a story. Bartolomucci's brick sits right here next to his brothers. And, as a former Air force engineer during the Korean War, he has a story too.
"I lucked out because I was in engineering, worked in a corp of engineers. We designed Wichita Air Force Base where Boeing was building the new B47's and 52's."
Bartolomucci says he never expected to serve at all. Decades later, he still finds himself making a difference behind the scenes.
"That's our whole world; to support the troops."
Giving those who've been on the front lines all the credit.
"We have one member over here that was a medic, and he saved lives in Vietnam. He wrapped up their legs when they were broken and cut off everything else. He's a hero, not me."
Anyone who has served can have a brick on the memorial. The veteran has to have had an honorable discharge.
Throughout his lifetime, Tom Bartolomucci has designed just about everything.
"I've designed bridges and buildings and radar sites and everything else. I can do anything."
But, one of the things that means the most to this veteran is a memorial in Village Park. Chatham's American Legion asked him to build it to honor service members nationwide.
"Some guys are cooks, some are accountants. The accountants are doing the book work; well, I do this kind of stuff."
And he did. Every brick has a name. Every name has a story. Bartolomucci's brick sits right here next to his brothers. And, as a former Air force engineer during the Korean War, he has a story too.
"I lucked out because I was in engineering, worked in a corp of engineers. We designed Wichita Air Force Base where Boeing was building the new B47's and 52's."
Bartolomucci says he never expected to serve at all. Decades later, he still finds himself making a difference behind the scenes.
"That's our whole world; to support the troops."
Giving those who've been on the front lines all the credit.
"We have one member over here that was a medic, and he saved lives in Vietnam. He wrapped up their legs when they were broken and cut off everything else. He's a hero, not me."
Anyone who has served can have a brick on the memorial. The veteran has to have had an honorable discharge.
