University salutes veterans at recognition ceremony

Fitchburg State University celebrated Veterans Day with a ceremony honoring those who served and paying tribute to a fallen alumnus with the re-dedication of a memorial bench on the university quadrangle.

U.S. Army First Lt. Theodore A. "Ted" Thompson, Jr., born on Sept. 11, 1942, graduated from Fitchburg State in 1966, where he was a member of the Esoteric Society fraternity. Lt. Thompson was killed in action in Vietnam on Sept. 8, 1968, just three days before his 26th birthday.

Carol Cioffari, Lt. Thompson’s sister, recalled her brother and his calling to follow their father’s example by joining the service. “We were Army brats,” she said, joking that she was the “brat” and her brother was “the good kid.”

“It’s something he grew up with,” Cioffari said. “Teddy was immersed in the military. It’s what he wanted to do.”

She recalled her brother as a gentle soul who loved his family and his country. “I didn’t really see him going into the service because he was so easygoing, but that is exactly what he wanted to do, to make his family proud,” Cioffari said. He went to officer’s training school after graduating from Fitchburg State and was commissioned as an officer, serving in the 101st Airborne Division.

The family was nervous when he deployed to Vietnam, but were comforted by the knowledge he was pursuing a long-held desire to serve. When he was wounded in Spring 1968, she said, it was while trying to rescue another injured soldier.

Lt. Thompson was hospitalized for a month with his injuries. “He wanted to get back to his men,” Cioffari said. “Like a true soldier, that’s what he wanted to do.”

She recalled their father offering to intervene to get his son out of harm’s way. “My father made a phone call and said, ‘I know people in the Pentagon, I can get you a desk job until it’s time for you to come home,’” Cioffari said. “Teddy said, ‘I’ll never talk to you again if you do that, Dad. I’m going back into the field. It’s where I belong.’ And that is what he did, as soon as he was able.”

Lt. Thompson was killed in action on Sept. 8, 1968, just three days before his 26th birthday. Cioffari said the family was comforted by reports that he didn’t suffer, but the loss is still keenly felt.

“I know the way my brother was,” Cioffari said. “He probably would have done another tour of duty there and he would have gone back more than willingly, because of his love of country and loyalty and fight for freedom. His loss will never be forgotten.”

A bench commemorating Lt. Thompson and his service was rededicated at the ceremony, installed near the entrance to Thompson Hall, which holds the university’s Veterans Center.

University President Donna Hodge honored the student veterans and their contributions to the institution and the nation.

“At Fitchburg State, we are fortunate to count many veterans among us, individuals whose dedication to service continues to shape and strengthen our community,” Hodge said. “Today, we celebrate that Legacy of Loyalty and Service in several ways. We honor the service and sacrifice of millions of veterans and their families who have protected our country, here and abroad. We honor our Massachusetts veterans, whose commitment to duty has enriched our state. And we honor our local North Central Massachusetts veterans, including the many here on our campus, whose loyalty and service inspire us all.”

Hodge recalled her own father and his service during the Vietnam War and how it forever changed him. “My father’s been gone 30 years now, felled by things much more generic than mortar fire or napalm, but I miss him every day, and I'm grateful he was willing and able to serve, and even more grateful that, like each of you, he made his way home. His legacy, like yours, is one of loyalty and service.

“At Fitchburg State, we strive to be a university that welcomes all and celebrates the diversity and dedication of our community,” she continued. “Today, as we reflect on Veterans Day, let us honor the Legacy of Loyalty and Service that defines our veterans. You are the heart of Fitchburg State, and I am honored to stand with you every single day.”

Andres Crespo, of Leominster, a senior studying business administration, spoke on behalf of the university’s student veterans.

“Our service is full of moments of hardships and triumphs,” Crespo said. “Those who have, understand that freedom comes with a price and with that, a fire is instilled within us to be part of something bigger than ourselves.” 

Crespo said seeing his father in uniform inspired him to join the military. “In that instant I knew I had no other purpose but to follow in his footsteps and serve with such dedication, courage and sacrifice as he did,” he said. 

Two months after graduating high school in 2019, Crespo was in basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. Throughout, he was grateful to receive regular letters from his proud father. 

“During my training, the drill sergeants made it competitive for those who wanted an airborne contract,” Crespo said. “I knew that I had to do whatever I could to get this. I thought to myself, ‘I’ll get paid to jump out of planes with a weapon attached to my hip? Sign me up!’”

Crespo won the contract and proceeded to airborne school, and at age 19 was an Airborne Infantryman.

“I graduated from Airborne School in November (of 2020) and came home for a couple of weeks to do hometown recruiting, and then afterwards I got to my unit mid-December,” he said.

His break was cut short when the U.S. embassy in Iraq was attacked and he was ordered back for a rapid deployment. “A couple of days later I was on a plane to the middle east,” he said. “The unit and I were camped out around 30 miles north of Baghdad in Camp Taji. What is crazy about this is that when my father went to Iraq, he was also based in Camp Taji. That is how I knew that what I was doing was meant to be.”

Another combat deployment followed in August 2021, as American forces were withdrawing from Afghanistan. “There is not much to say about that one since everyone knows what happened,” Crespo said. “It was the worst deployment I had, and let’s just say that I am very grateful for being here today. By the age of 20 I already had two combat deployments and I could not have done it without the support of my family, but I most certainly could not have done it without my brothers and sisters that served beside me. I am glad to have met my fellow veterans here on campus and to have them to simply converse with and share a coffee together.

“The veteran support here has made everything easier for me personally and I truly appreciate every single one of them,” Crespo continued. “Each one of them has their own stories and I am happy that they share theirs with me. As we gather to honor our veterans, past and present, let us remember what this bench symbolizes and as everyone passes by: it allows them to reflect and pay their respects. This shows that we will never be forgotten and the appreciation towards those who have served.”

Professor Sean Goodlett of the Economics, History and Political Science Department presided over the ceremony. “Today’s ceremony carries a lot of personal meaning for myself and my spouse, as well,” he said. “In our extended family we have numerous Veterans and active-duty service members – grandparents, parents, and cousins who served in the Army and Army National Guard, cousins serving in the Marines, an uncle in the Navy. They served in World War II, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, and now our own son has enlisted in the Navy. In short, as a family we value service to this country.”

View additional photos from the event on the Burg Blog.