Patrick L. Gualtieri, 1945-2015

Patrick L. Gualtieri, a member of New York City’s Angel Almedina Memorial Chapter 126 who revitalized the city’s Veterans Day Parade, died July 21 after a short illness. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Gualtieri served in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, including a one-year tour in Vietnam.

“Pat returned to New York City in 2000 to take over the struggling Veterans Day Parade,” said VVA member Vincent McGowan, founding president of the United War Veterans Council.  “As executive director of the Council, the producers of the parade, he built the annual event into ‘America’s Parade,’ the largest celebration of service in the nation. The veterans community mourns the loss of a giant, who devoted his life to honoring those who served.”