Bernard Zambrano, Wooster Square’s Vietnam hero, finally honored in bronze

U.S. Rep. Robert Giaimo, D-3, tried to convey him stateside, Naclerio mentioned. However Bernard Zambrano was fatally wounded March 17, 1969, by a mortar shell in Bien Hao province, based on Wealthy Biondi, the unofficial Wooster Avenue historian. He had been in Vietnam 65 days. He’s buried in St. Lawrence Cemetery.

“He was an all-American boy,” mentioned Naclerio, whose mom was sister to Zambrano’s mom, Anne San Marco Zambrano. “You couldn’t ask for another person. He was an Eagle Scout, arduous a parochial schooling, was going to be a instructor.”

Zambrano, who lived on Humphrey, Greene and Lyon streets, was a scholar instructor on the outdated Lee Excessive Faculty. “There was this hiccup, a niche in his schooling,” Naclerio mentioned. “There was a interval when he wasn’t at school and that’s how he turned eligible.” This was regardless of being the one surviving baby. His brother had died in infancy.

“They nonetheless mentioned he needed to go,” mentioned Naclerio, who was 15 when Zambrano died. “There was no manner he might have circumvented it. He wasn’t going to go to Canada like the remainder of the folks. He wasn’t that form of man.”

He mentioned Zambrano gave him his bicycle, a Columbia with ribbons, bells and a raccoon tail, all in style within the Sixties.

Naclerio wasn’t in a position to attend Monday’s set up however will probably be in New Haven for a ceremony on Could 29 to honor Zambrano. The plaque was affixed to the brick arch on Wooster Avenue Monday to accommodate family members who can’t make it Could 29 and since it’s on a Sunday, when the installer wouldn’t be working, based on Jane Scarpellino, who, with Biondi, has been attempting to establish further Wooster Sq. struggle useless who’ve but to be honored.

There are three plaques within the space, together with one on the arch, that honor those who gave their lives in World Struggle II. She mentioned they hope so as to add Alfonso Cappuccio, who died in World Struggle I and try to establish the deal with of Larry Ornato who died in World Struggle II.

Scarpellino mentioned she wish to revive an annual custom through which Wooster Sq. struggle useless can be honored. “Rosa [DeLauro] would present up and there was a band and a salute and it was an occasion to honor the solders the forge the neighborhood collectively,” she mentioned.

Rosalie Porrello of East Haven, a cousin, mentioned of Zambrano, “He was a lot enjoyable and a extremely good man. I knew he was going to be some skilled.” He was “very variety, very respectful.” She mentioned she would see Zambrano at Sunday dinners and holidays.

Lisa Naclerio of North Haven, who mentioned she was Zambrano’s youngest cousin, mentioned, “I do not forget that when he handed. my mother and I have been at his home at my Aunt Anne’s home on Lyon Avenue. For in all probability six months she would drop my sister off. I am the youngest of seven. … So I can simply keep in mind being there and also you know how it was and nobody ever went in that room, his bed room. She left it. It was all the time the best way it was. Nobody was allowed in it.”