HANSCOM AFB, Mass, – Hanscom FCU honored two people as part of its Heroes Among Us celebration, a program that recognizes U.S. military veterans nominated by the community.
With his name in lights on the Jumbotron, Michael Mabee drew crowd applause as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Lowell Spinners game.
“Michael served in the U.S. Army and reserves for over 25 years,” noted Paul Marotta, Chairman of the Board for Hanscom FCU. “Of special note is the work he did to save a life and help many others at the World Trade Center on 9/11. We are grateful for his service and are honored to recognize him as a hero.”
Mabee was awarded the prestigious Soldier's Medal for Heroism by the U.S. Army and the Secretary's Valor Award by the Labor Department for his actions at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As the twin towers came down around them, Mabee and a colleague rescued a disabled person. Mabee then continued to help for the next 24 hours at a makeshift hospital, using his training as a paramedic and police officer.
During his service, Michael Mabee served two wartime deployments to Iraq and two humanitarian service missions in Guatemala, earning a combat action badge and a Bronze Star Medal. He achieved the rank of Command Sergeant Major in the Army Reserves.
Currently, Mabee is assistant regional administrator of the Whistleblower Protection Program for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He is also a national trainer for the Department of Labor investigators.
Also honored was James Capozzi, who took the mound for a ceremonial first pitch at a Lowell Spinners.
“He served multiple tours in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War,” noted Marotta. “He saw combat on the front line and earned a Purple Heart in 1970 when he was wounded in action as a member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. We are grateful for his service and are honored to recognize him as a hero.”
Capozzi achieved the rank of Specialist 4th Class. Upon completing his service, he attended Northeastern University, graduating cum laude. He became a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles police officer, enforcing motor vehicle safety laws, conducting driver’s license testing, investigating accidents, working on Registry property, and inspecting commercial vehicles. Mr. Capozzi also was selected to be a driver for the governor of Massachusetts.
Capozzi was nominated as a hero by his brother, Paul, who was not old enough to understand the full meaning of service during Capozzi’s time in Vietnam.
“I didn’t realize he was my hero until long after the Vietnam War ended,” wrote Paul Capozzi. “I was young and didn’t realize all that he had accomplished.”