The Holliston Memorial Day Committee recently announced that Herb Brockert, Jr. would be this year’s Parade Marshal. This is not the first time Herb has been in the role. He remembers back in the 1970’s when Herb, his brother and their father were so honored for their military service in WWII and Viet Nam.
Military Service:
Herb Brockert, Jr., at age 21, as Herb put it, was “plucked out of life” through the military draft and “sledgehammered” into manhood by the US Army. Serving his required rotation in Viet Nam in the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division – “Tropic Lightning” – Herb saw the horrors of combat.
US Army 25th Infantry Division Unit Patch
As we talked about Herb’s service, he recounted how a seemingly “divine force” shielded him from injury and/or death during his deployment. Herb is seen below “in country.”
In the 60 + years since he was discharged (16 May 1967), Herb has turned his wartime service and the sacrifice of so many of his platoon-mates into community service. Through years of support, he channelled a gruesome period of his life, , into his dedication to serving his fellow veterans and his hometown.
Thirteen years ago Herb became part of a Treatment Team at a new Court established to work with veterans who run afoul of the law. This “Veterans’ Court” is in Dedham and meets every Tuesday. Vets who are handled by the Court meet weekly to measure progress against their 2-year plan – a 5-phase program – until they “graduate.” Each successful graduate receives a challenge coin inscribed “Structure, Accountability, Treatment.” Additionally, each vet who successfully completes the program receives a specifically selected book. Herb customizes the selection to best fit each graduate. Graduation from Veterans’ Court is a major achievement celebrated in Norwood.
Closer to home, Herb has devoted more than 25 years to the Upper Charles Rail Trail, Holliston’s 6.7-mile park which has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to and through our community. This gem is in large part due to Herb’s (and Robert Weidknecht’s) tenacious work to turn an abandoned railroad bed into a thriving recreational facility. Herb continues to provide his construction expertise to upgrade and maintain the trail.
Pproud to have marched in so many parades in Holliston, he remembers when the Memorial Day parade traveled from Woodland Street to St Mary’s cemetery and then up Phipps Hill to and through Lake Grove cemetery before returning downtown to Goodwill Park. This year’s parade route is shorter but no less meaningful, and Herb has prepared some remarks about the ultimate sacrifice that warfare inevitably brings.
It is not trite or ungracious to say, “Herb, thank you for your lifetime of service!”