On June 27, 2020, Vietnam War U.S. Marine Corps veteran PFC David Catania was honored with merit citations from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Maryland State Sen. Christopher Van Hollen at Yingling-Ridgely VFW Post 7472. The presenter was Josh Marks of Francis Scott Key Squadron 11 and associate member of LCpl Robert W. Deane Detachment #770. Attendees included Past Commander Keith Clevenger of Francis Scott Key Post 11 of Frederick, Md., and former executive director of the national American Legion office in Washington, D.C., Louis Celli Jr.
Catania held an exposed position at PoChentong International Airport in Cambodia fighting off both SVA and NVA while calling in fire support and evacuating U.S. assets, including the U.S. ambassador at the close of the war.
Thank you to both Secretary George Owings and Deputy Secretary Robert Finn, both of the Department of Maryland Veteran Affairs, for inclusion in the July 2020 newsletter.