Veteran’s service a family legacy

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U.S. Army veteran Robert J. Genovese addresses the crowd during Naugatuck’s Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday on the Town Green. Genovese, who served two tours in Afghanistan, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. –LUKE MARSHALL
U.S. Army veteran Robert J. Genovese addresses the crowd during Naugatuck’s Veterans Day ceremony Tuesday on the Town Green. Genovese, who served two tours in Afghanistan, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. –LUKE MARSHALL

NAUGATUCK — Standing before a crowd on the Town Green Tuesday, U.S. Army veteran Robert L. Genovese recalled the day he swore an oath to protect his country.

“To my brothers and sisters in arms and our supporting citizens I’d like to thank you for giving me the chance to speak to you today. It gives me goose bumps to speak in front of you. It also reminds me of when I raised my right hand and swore an obligation to defend the country from enemies foreign and domestic,” Genovese said.

Genovese, 30, was the keynote speaker at Naugatuck’s Veterans Day ceremony.

Genovese, who served as an Army specialist and was deployed for two tours in Afghanistan, followed a family legacy when he joined the military. His grandfather, Robert L. Genovese, served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, and his father, Anthony V. Genovese, served in the U.S. Army as a crew chief on a Blackhawk helicopter.

“Bobby’s dear to my heart,” said Robert L. Genovese as he introduced his grandson. “He came along right after I was diagnosed with Agent Orange cancer. I sort of latched on to him and he’s been my lifeline all these years.”

In the mid-1980s Robert L. Genovese, a member of the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

Robert L. Genovese spoke to the crowd about his first day of basic training. He said the reality of his decision to join the Army set in when his drill sergeant addressed the recruits while they were still on the bus.

“He would happily invite us into the wonderful world of the United States Army,” Genovese said.

Although the drill sergeant was tough it was all to help the recruits, Genovese said.

“He was really trying to get you ready for what was going to come next. We were at a time of war. He said the odds are you are going,” Genovese said.

Genovese said he found out soon after graduating basic training that his unit was deploying to Afghanistan.

“That was reality setting in again,” Genovese said.

Genovese was deployed overseas in 2007 and again in 2013.

As Genovese ended his speech he urged all those in attendance to remember those who gave and give of themselves to serve in the military.

“I learned a lot of things [in the Army]. I learned of sacrifice and commitment. Today is a day we remember and honor those who served, those who are serving, and those who will serve. Let us remember those who have made and will make the ultimate commitment and maybe the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Without these brave men and women who already made this ultimate sacrifice we would not be standing here freely today,” Genovese said.