LYNN — More than 150 people crowded onto Blossom Street at Alley Street Friday afternoon to rededicate the intersection in memory of a West Lynn resident killed in Vietnam.
Peter J. Pennucci would have celebrated his 70th birthday Friday. He died in combat on May 20, 1970 and a flag-adorned sign that reads, “Cpl. Peter J. Pennucci Sq.” overlooks the corner a half block from his boyhood home.
“It’s great to recognize people who came here for a better life, someone from the neighborhood. The Pennuccis are a great family, the salt of the earth,” said state Rep. Peter Capano.
Rededication attendees ignored Friday’s frigid weather and traffic spillover from a Lynnway water main break to listen as Pennucci’s brother-in-law, Simone Sclafani, read the commendation drafted for the posthumous awarding of the Silver Star to Pennucci.
“With complete disregard for his personal safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to the concentration of hostile fire in order to place highly accurate grenade rounds on a key enemy bunker,” the commendation read.
Born in Italy, Pennucci moved with his father, Anthony, to Lynn in 1958 to join his mother, Maria. He attended Washington Community School and the former Cobbet Junior High and graduated from Lynn Trade High School in 1969.
Joseph Pennucci on Friday described his boyhood memories of the day he learned his brother had died. He recalled watching as a soldier disembarked from a car and walked up to his family’s Alley Street home.
“I remember people around my mother and a priest coming to the house. Finally, in late May or early June, my parents came to meet my brother’s coffin when it arrived by train,” he said.
Capano and fellow Army veteran and city Veterans Services Director Michael Sweeney said the rededication’s strong attendance reflected Lynn’s respect for veterans and military service.
“It’s moments like this that show we will never forget them,” Sweeney said.
David Solimine Sr. served as rededication master of ceremony. The Rev. Brian O’Hanlon, Lynn Catholic Collaborative, offered the invocation and closing prayer. The Lynn high school quartet sang and the English High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps presented and retired the colors. Lynn student Sofia Fontan played taps.
Elected officials attending included state Sen. Brendan Crighton, who offered greetings to the Pennucci family from Mayor Thomas M. McGee, state Reps. Dan Cahill and Capano, and City Councilors Buzzy Barton, Brian Field, Fred Hogan and Rick Starbard, along with Police Chief Michael Mageary and Fire Chief Stephen Archer.
Friendly Knights of St. Patrick committee chairman William McDonald presented a plaque on behalf of the Italian American Citizens Club to the Pennucci family.
