U.S. Navy veteran Dario Raschio was all smiles Saturday as he awaited a special honor from U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, who joined him at Portland Community College’s Southeast Campus to present the 100-year-old with a handful of medals.
“I feel I’m no hero,” said Raschio, dynamic and spry, before the event. “I don’t accept it as being a hero. I accept it as being a part of my job.”
Shortly after Wyden began speaking, though, protesters erupted in the back of the room, shouting “hands-up, don’t shoot!” More than 100 pushed through the doors, banged on the windows from outside and hoisted signs.
The medal ceremony was to be the first part of a town hall meeting hosted by the Oregon senator. While Raschio did receive his medals, the event was canceled after 45 minutes.
What is there to be said about this? Defend to the death, if you like, this bunch’s right to protest. That right is no defense for the shameless self-indulgence that was on display here. Dario Raschio was a Navy aviator who participated in five campaigns in the Pacific theater. He took gunfire. And he waited 70 years to receive the medals he was awarded Saturday. How utterly self-absorbed do you have to be to think it appropriate to intrude on that ceremony?
Raschio was not cowed by the demonstration:
As he grabbed the mic to speak, more shouts came from the back of the room, demanding the military exit from Iraq.
The feisty centenarian quickly responded, “Give me a chance” which brought chuckles from the audience. He further chastised the shouters, saying “Let’s show a little respect for this occasion,” to which the crowd applauded.
He accepted the medals on behalf of those who died in WWII and ended his short speech by saying, “God bless America. And you people that are here for a cause, whatever it might be—show respect to Sen. Wyden.”
A study in contrasts, this: the Greatest Generation — and the decidedly not-so-great.