BRUCE WELCH
My name is Chuck Amendola and I have an incredible story for you to
read. The man I came to know as my Dad, who in fact was my stepfather,
was Capt. Bruce Edward Welch, USMC (Ret.). When he married my
Mom (Catherine) in December 1969, it was not fashionable for a Career
Officer to take on a wife with 7 children. Yet, he did and began a life with
us that lasted 21 years, until his untimely passing in January 1991 of brain
cancer.
The purpose of this communication is that I wish to memorialize in words
for other Midshipmen the thoughts of a son who was afforded a life by one
of their own. Bruce was passionate about education and prospered after
his medical retirement in 1974 as a logistical engineer. He was passionate
about us as his family, even though we were not of his blood. Since I was
13 when he married my Mom, he extolled honor, hard work, family and
how cool life was.
He survived over 400 combat missions in Southeast Asia spanning from
1965 to 1973. Bruce was the first USMC F-4-RIO to be awarded the DFC.
All this occurred amongst student riots and a truly crappy time for the
Military. Yet, there was Bruce working in his study, or pattering around
our home or out laughing with our neighbors. None of who were military.
He got along with everyone, never made more out of the WAR then was
necessary and loved me and my 6 brothers and sisters till the day he left
us.
The U.S. Naval Academy, its traditions, values, direction and dedication
developed a man whom I have had the pleasure of calling Father. Today,
all my five sisters are happily married and are good mothers; my younger
brother went on to become an officer in Special Forces and fought in
Saudi. He now is a married family man. I am now 41 and the
CEO/President of a scientific corporation here in California. Mom has
remarried, yet the love for Bruce is so deep that his picture still hangs on
the wall in their home with her husband's blessing.
I have reread this letter and find that there is so much I want everyone to
know, but out of concern for your eyesight (smile), I will end this by
saying thank you to your Class, its teachers and leaders. For a time, I was
blessed with the presence of a man who walked your walk and talked your
talk. Here is to Bruce (KO) Welch, a Middie, a Man, a Dad, a FighterJock and a friend to many. There were over 300 people at his funeral. I
saw Sergeants, Majors, Colonels and all different ranks crying like kids for
him. When a middie starts to feel like things don't make sense there, when
he or she thinks that what they are learning cannot be useful in the real
world, let them know that I saw the finished product; and what I saw was
USNA all the way. A person I idolized and whom I attempt to emulate
everyday.
If there is anyone connected to you who can fill me in on their memories
of Bruce, please have them contact me by calling 714-476-5052.
Respectfully Submitted, Charles A. Amendola, CEO, Synergistic
Evaluation and Rehabilitations, Inc., 2211 Martin Street, Suite 108, Irvine,
CA 92612.