Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2021 Give Vietnam vets a chance to see “The Wall” An outdoor concert to benefi t veterans is set for the Kowloon Restaurant on Aug. 14 By Mark E. Vogler V ietnam War veteran Dennis J. Moschella says he’s been to “The Wall” in Washington, D.C., at least fi ve times and says it’s a trip that more of his fellow Vietnam vets could get to experience. “It’s unbelievable to see all of those names – 58,000 men and women from my generation – mostly teenagers and people in their early 20s who lost their lives in the War,” Moschella recalls of his visits to the Vietnam War Memorial. “I was just in awe the first time I saw it. It’s really quiet. And it’s kind of surreal, knowing I served in the same area – in the same part of the world as all of these people,” he said. “Did you ever look at the names of people on a monument and wonder what these people were or could be? Somebody’s son or daughter, brother or sister, husband or wife … Whenever I go to D.C., I always go to the wall.” Moschella, a longtime Saugus resident, and his group – Veterans Assisting Veterans (VAV) – have organized a special benefit concert for next month to help send 10 needy Vietnam Veterans who have never seen “The Wall” on a weekend trip to Washington, D.C., in September to live that experience. VAV and Rockin 4 Vets are sponsoring Classic Rock Experience Benefi t Concert, featuring John Caff erty and the Beaver Brown Band, at Kowloon on Saturday, Aug. 14. The gate opens at 1 p.m. – with a 2 p.m. show in the parking lot of the Kowloon at 948 Broadway (Route 1 North) in Saugus. It costs $35 a ticket. The rain date is set for Sunday, Aug. 15. Full bar and food service will be available. For ticket information, go to Tickets@GIMMELIVE. COM/CLASSICROCK. Helping Vietnam Vets “Our goal is to fi ll the Kowloon,” Moschella said in an interview this week. “The goal of our organization is just to help veterans who have dedicated so much to our THE FEATURED BAND: John Caff erty and the Beaver Brown Band will be playing at Kowloon at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14. Tickets cost $35 apiece. Proceeds will be used to help send 10 Vietnam veterans to Washington, D.C., in September to see the Vietnam War Memorial. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) country. We’re sending 10 Vietnam veterans who have never been to the wall and we’re paying for all of their expenses,” he said. Ten members of the nonprofi t group VAV will be going on the Sept. 17-19 trip, but will be paying their own expenses there. The needy Vietnam veterans were supposed to go last year, but the trip was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re estimating it will cost $1,200 to $1,500 per person for these guys to go down there,” Moschella said. “We’re paying for the train, the hotel and the meals. We have to supply food on the train; it’s a seven hour drive. When we go there at night, there’s going to be a reception. And Saturday night, there will be dinner and Sunday morning we will head back to Boston,” he said. In addition to helping to raise enough money to send the 10 veterans to Washington, D.C., Moschella is organizing a plan to have veterans enjoy the upcoming concert. He has been reaching out to area businesses to buy tickets that can be distributed to veterans throughout the area. “We hope to have enough tickets bought by companies to take some tickets to the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea,” Moschella said. “Whatever tickets we can’t give away at the Soldiers’ Home, we’ll fi nd a needy veteran in Saugus, Everett, Malden and Revere or wherever. Whatever tickets are donated, we’re going to give away,” he said. “If people don’t want to go to the concert, they can buy a ticket for a veteran. That’s a good way to honor a vet.” Praising those who stepped up to help Moschella is familiar with John Caff erty and the Beaver Brown Band. “John puts on a great show,” he said. “I booked John a couple of years ago in Lowell and his band put on a BUY A TICKET FOR A VET: In addition to helping 10 needy Vietnam War veterans to go to Washington, D.C., to see “The Wall” that honors more than 58,000 veterans killed in the Vietnam War, Vietnam War veteran Dennis Moschella is encouraging area businesses to buy tickets that can be distributed to area veterans who might enjoy the Aug. 14 concert at Kowloon. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo by Mark E. Vogler) wonderful show. And some of the members of the band are vets as well. It will be a nice family friendly Saturday afternoon event. People won’t have to drive into Boston to see the concert. And if they don’t want to go to the concert, buy a ticket for a veteran to go and enjoy the show.” Moschella credited several people with stepping up on short notice to help make the concert a reality. Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria donated a portable stage for use at one of two possible venues in Saugus. “Originally, we were going to do the concert at Floor & Decor in Saugus. But, because of the tax free weekend coming up, we couldn’t do it because there would be no room with people coming in to buy stuff , Moschella said. “Then we were going to do it at Harley-Davidson (in Revere) and ran into some logistical problems,” he said. “And then I called Bobby GIVE VIETNAM | SEE PAGE 21
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