NEW: Cicilline Presents Service Medals to Veteran
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) presented Private First Class Maurice P. Trottier of Pawtucket with a Naval Reserve Medal and National Defense Service Medal during a ceremony in his Pawtucket office today.
Trottier was just 17 when he enlisted in the Navy Reserves in 1938. A year later he joined the Army. He served in the Korean War, and survived a brutal assault on the Manchurian border in November of 1950. Trottier’s service continued after being discharged as he served as a paratrooper, and later joined the National Guard.
Trottier returned to the Navy at the age of 54 to serve four more years and retired in 1991. Through his retirement he has remained active in the community as a co-founder of the Korean War Veterans, Ocean State Chapter #1 and through his work on the committee for the Korean War Memorial in Providence.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Mr. Trottier deserves these honors, and I am proud to be a part of recognizing his service,” said Cicilline. “We have a responsibility to make sure that all veterans have the recognition they deserve, and I was determined that Mr. Trottier would be properly honored.”
During Trottier’s efforts to sort through his personal records, he contacted Congressman Cicilline’s office. After assisting with this process, the office came to realize that there were medals that Trottier deserved, but had yet been awarded. After a few months, the process was completed and Cicilline was able to formally present Trottier with his medals.
“Effectively assisting Rhode Islanders is one of my most important responsibilities,” continued Cicilline. “I am happy that we were able to help Mr. Trottier get the recognition that he deserves, and I look forward to assisting other Rhode Island veterans and their families in any way I can.”
