STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The young men smile back from their black-and-white yearbook photos or look gung-ho in their nation’s uniform. That was before Vietnam, before they became names on a wall.

Eighty-four called Staten Island home. Pictures of 63 are placed on the fence surrounding the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in West Brighton each summer during the annual Day of Remembrance. Danny Ingellis, first vice president of the Thomas J. Tori Chapter, Vietnam Veterans of America, made it his mission to find the remaining 21. He received 13 after the Advance published a story last month detailing his efforts. Now, he is after the final eight photos.

“You go to all these ceremonies, you look at a name, it’s nice,” said Ingellis, a New Springville resident who was in Nam for the Tet Offensive and later served in Operation Desert Storm.

Dennis Heitner, who was killed June 13, 1970, will also have his photo displayed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in West Brighton each summer during the annual Day of Remembrance.
Never forgotten The Thomas J. Tori Chapter, Vietnam Veterans of America, is seeking photos of eight Staten Islanders killed in Vietnam. If found, the group will have photos of all 84 borough men killed in combat. Contact first vice commander Danny Ingellis at 646-823-7205 to send photos.

Never forgotten
The Thomas J. Tori Chapter, Vietnam Veterans of America, is seeking photos of eight Staten Islanders killed in Vietnam. If found, the group will have photos of all 84 borough men killed in combat. Contact first vice commander Danny Ingellis at 646-823-7205 to send photos.