Charles Vella: A Rich Life

Mr. Charles Vella is a 92 year old veteran of World War II.. Today he resides at Westfield Care and Rehabilitation Center (formerly Harborside). Senga Densmore is an ombudsman for Highland Valley Elder Services, and she has known Mr. Vella since she began her work in 2006. On a cold day in January, I sat with them and asked Mr. Vella about his life.

What struck me throughout our talk was Mr. Vella's dignity and refusal to be a victim. He has found purpose at the facility as an advocate for other residents. When neighbors have trouble getting assistance when needed, Mr. Vella will go into the hallway and shout for help. He told me, "I like to help others with problems and I do not like to see people suffer."

Charlie takes a leadership role on the resident council. This seems natural for a man who served as a platoon sergeant for 50 men while working with six officers and a colonel in the army for nearly five years - including part of the Omaha Beach landing on June 6, 1944.

He repeatedly stated that he was the crucial link to guide his men in battle since "the officers did not know" how to provide such guidance. True to character today, he self-describes as the "only one with guts" to speak out at resident council meetings.

Two years ago, he was unhappy with the battered condition of the flag that was no longer flying high on the flag pole. He went to the administrator and demanded a new flag "for my men who died at Omaha Beach." A new flag was installed. In 2008, there was a special gathering for veterans on Veteran's Day at Harborside.

When Mr. Vella ended up in a hospital in France, he was not allowed to return to battle. He was told that he "had too much war." I asked him about trauma and it was not in his language to discuss it in that manner. He said that he learned from his officers to do a job and to kill or be killed.. After the war, two men from his platoon contacted him to thank him for saving their lives.

Mr. Vella was married for 52 years, and his wife died 10 years ago. Together, they had one daughter and two sons. He is proud of each of them and describes them as geniuses in their accomplishments. Charlie was born in Westfield and has lived most of his life here. He is proud of his craftsmanship ethic - doing a great job everywhere he worked. He has always been particularly adept with the mechanics of machines - relied upon during the war and in training others after the war.

Pictures of children and grandchildren adorn the walls in Mr. Vella's room. He described his life with his wife and quiet and happy. They were always gentle with each other and did not argue. His advice to his children is to "tell them what you know. Do things right." My sense of Mr. Vella is that he does not engage in false humility, is incredibly self-reliant, and likes to do things right.

When I asked Charlie about Senga (the ombudsman), he smiled at her and said, "She's wonderful and kind. We talk together. She helped me to get hearing aides, earmuffs, and to get the staff to help me to bed at night at the time I want."

Mr. Vella is living his life in the best possible way at age 92 in a long-term care facility. He takes responsibility for himself, he loves to be helpful, and he is a gentle and agile talker.

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