Pocono News Section

Veterans' Voices - Jack Cleary

Veterans' Voices - Jack Cleary - Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 11:35PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Thursday, Jul 16, 2009 @ 11:35pm EST
DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY- Veterans’ Voices pays tribute to veterans in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. This installment features Jack Cleary of Dallas.

Jack Cleary's wall of medals and pictures at his Dallas business include stories of war, tragedy and resilience.

Cleary served in the Army and left the states in 1968 for the jungles of Vietnam, Stationed with the 199th light infantry brigade, Cleary was an engineering officer.

The stories behind his awards, the bronze star and air medal, are hard to tell. "These are questions I think probably most veterans, certainly combat veterans grapple with for the rest of their lives," said Cleary.

Cleary fought in the TET offensive and also took part in more than 25 combat assaults in helicopters. He says the lessons learned in war stay with him forever. "I think I don't take for granted what other people take for granted, not that I don't have emotions like everybody else, but maybe I appreciate things more," said Cleary.

Cleary followed in his family footsteps. His father was in World War II, his grandfather in World War I. Following in Jack's footsteps was his son Michael. "There's a hole in my heart for Michael that will always be there. It will always be in our family," said Cleary.

Michael signed up for the army after 9-11. He was an engineering officer, just like dad. But in December 2005, Lieutenant Michael Cleary died fighting in Iraq.

Pennsylvania watched as Michael was laid to rest. Jack and his family stayed strong. "I'm terribly proud of all of my children and I'm terribly proud of Michael and the man that he was," said Cleary.

Now Jack is on a new mission: making sure every veteran comes back to their neighborhood with honor. "We've made a commitment that these folks are not going to have the same treatment we received when we came back in 69' or 70' or 71'," he said.

Cleary formed a memorial fund in his son's name. He organized a bike ride and golf tournament raising thousands for families of fallen and wounded servicemen.

He's also involved with the wounded warrior program, helping injured servicemen get back on their feet.

For sharing your story and letting your veterans' voice be heard, we thank you, Jack Cleary, for your service.