Former POW to Speak at Patriotic Celebration in Phoenixville

Vietnam Prisoner of War Ralph Galati will be the keynote speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Phoenixville’s 23rd annual Patriotic Celebration Friday in Reeves Park.

The public is invited to attend the celebration, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and learn firsthand Galati’s experiences as a POW in Hanoi.

As a member of the Air Force, Galati served as a Weapon Systems Officer in the F-4 Phantom Fighter. During a mission over North Vietnam in February of 1972 his plane was shot down, and he was captured and taken to Hanoi, where he was a prisoner of war for the next 14 months. He came home in March, 1973.

Galati received numerous military awards including the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with Valor with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, as well as numerous veterans’ organizations honors and awards.

He currently serves as the Director of Veteran Services at St. Joseph’s University, where he coordinates campus-wide programs for veterans, dependents and disabled veterans.

Galati will speak on the theme of this year’s program: “What does it mean to be proud of your country? I am proud of my country because…”

More than 500 school children, area dignitaries and community leaders will be present. As part of the program, Phoenixville area fourth and fifth graders have written essays on the same topic as Galati’s speech. A winner for each grade level will be selected and will read their essay during the program. Winners will receive savings bonds.

The Kiwanis Club sponsors this program each year on the Friday preceding Memorial Day as a way of celebrating pride in our country. In the event of rain the program will be held in the auditorium of Barkley Elementary School on Second Avenue.