John Liro

United States Army airforce 1943-1946

World War II

Private first Class

eame campaign medal

battle of the bulge

Throughout his life, John Liro has distinguished himself as a man of intrepidity, dedication, and compassion. Family and friends proudly attest to John’s contributions to his nation, to his hometown of Enfield, and to their own lives. He is remembered as having a sunny disposition: always smiling and joking, going out of his way to assist others, and quick to get the job done. In addition to being gregarious and charming, John possessed a strong spirit willing to fight for various civic causes, including veterans benefits.

In 1943 John had volunteered to enter the service, risking his young life for his country and the values of democracy, freedom, and liberty. A first-generation American John was raised with a belief in the American Dream, knowing that his life in the United States was much better than the ones that his parents had led as poor farmers in Poland. With a mixture of fear, hope, and courage, John served in the European Theater, fighting in such notable battles as Normandy, Rhineland, and Ardennes. HIs work for the 82nd and 101st Airborne Paratroopers eventually earned him a variety of military awards: the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with Bronze Service Arrowhead, the Victory Medal, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, The Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar, and the Honorable Service Medal. During World War II, it is thus clear that John had distinguished himself and had illustrated his commitment to his nation and the principles of democracy.

His work for the Town of Enfield for twenty-six years is yet another venue in which John has demonstrated his pride, dedication, and talents. At both the Enfield Public Library and the Enfield Senior Center he has been recognized for his superior attendance record, which exemplifies his dedication to his employers as well as his commitment to serving the public through his custodial duties. Moreover, of his own initiative John had often gone beyond his official work duties to add his beautifying touches to the town property. An avid gardener, John took pride in caring for the many flower beds around the Enfield Public Library, and both newspaper photographers from The Reminder and town officials alike have praised him for his floral arrangements. John has constantly extended himself beyond his required duties because he took pride in his work and held high expectations for himself.

Additionally, long after his military service ended, John remained active with the American Legion, participating and leading the John Maciolek POst #154 in numerous civic activities. Feeling that nobody should be deprived of going to the hospital for lack of transportation, he served on the committee of the Enfield Community Ambulance service. Also as the sergeant-at-arms of Post #154, John led his men in parades, such as for Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July, and in other marches, such as for the Four Chaplains Mass honoring the noble sacrifice of four chaplains aboard a navy ship during World War II. He has replaced tattered American flags at the gravesites of former veterans out of respect for these men’s loyalty to our nation and because of his unwavering patriotism. He furthermore assisted the widows of Post #154 soldiers, who often turned to him for help in arranging military funerals and receiving their deceased husbands’ veterans’ benefits. The men of American Legion Post #154 looked to John for leadership and friendship, while these widows relied on him for support and guidance. His affiliation with the American Legion therefore provided opportunities for John to demonstrate his leadership abilities, pursue his interests and passions, and respond to others’ needs with compassion and understanding.

Overall, John Liro was a model citizen, one whom people for generations to come could admire and emulate. Besides his involvement in the American Legion and the countless tasks he performed as an employee of the Town of Enfield, John was an active participant in local and state politics, often attending town meetings to voice his opinions about particular issues. For example, John passionately advocated for the Enfield Word War II Verans’ Memorial to be situated on the town green rather than another less prominent location. He believed that these veterans deserved the honor of having their names listed near the town hall and not hidden away; unfortunately John passed away before seeing this memorial erected, but ultimately his dream of having the World War II Veteran’s Memorial located on the town green has since been realized. In addition, John has been in frequent contact with former Connecticut governor Ella Grasso and Connecticut Congresswoman Nancy Johnson concerning issues of veterans benefits and medical care, contending that the United States government must protect its former military soldiers throughout the course of their lives. According to John, just as these deceased and aging veterans had risked their lives for the sake of freedom and civil rights, the American government now has the responsibility to protect these special citizens. Through his political involvement, John therefore represented the interests of veterans both living and deceased, illustrating his continuous commitment to the ideals of justice and liberty which he fought to preserve so long ago in World War II

During different aspects of his life, John Liro has upheld his dedication to the values of democracy, freedom of speech, liberty, and justice. Whether through his World War II military service as a paratrooper, through his employment at the Enfield Public Library or the Enfield Senior Center, through his community work with the American Legion Post #154, or through his political participation, a strong pattern emerges which defines John as an honorable, spirited man. Not only in his public life but in his private relationships with friends and family as well John illustrated these honorable characteristics and made a special point of including his close family members in such civic activities as marches. While his devotion to his country and town has been well documented in local newspapers, another equally significant side to John is his dedication to his family, which he loved, protected, and cherished. Beyond the personal knowledge and memories that his family members carries within themselves, however, anyone privy to John’s life accomplishments can ascertain that he was truly a valuable asset to Enfield, Connecticut, and the United States, a man who enriched others’ lives with his patriotism and unwavering sense of duty.