Celebrating America Through Local Eyes

Local veterans and heroes will be sharing their thoughts on what makes Marco and America special by answering some patriotic questions. It’s our way to honor those whose dedication and sacrifices make our Island community shine. 

Rene Champagne 

Rene’s parents and their families emigrated from the farmland of Quebec, Canada, to Connecticut when they were but children themselves at the turn of the twentieth century, shortly after 1900. They attended French/English grammar schools, then worked in textile mills at minimum wage. They married and eventually had Rene, making him a first-generation French Canadian. 

Rene’s parents stressed the importance of education to him, ensuring that he would have more opportunities than they had. He attended public schools through college (UCONN), then he joined the US Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1963 and was commissioned a Naval Officer in 1964. He was assigned to the USS Cogswell DD-651 as the Gunnery Officer and Ship’s Legal Officer, where he served until 1967. He is a very proud veteran, having served his country by completing two tours of duty in the Vietnam War zone.  

What is one thing that makes you proud to be American? 

The Navy trained me in Leadership and, at an early age, assigned me responsibilities that would have taken me many more years to acquire in the business world. My Navy experience provided me with a head start in qualifying for leadership positions when I joined a subsidiary of Colgate Palmolive upon my discharge from the Navy. With a strong work ethic, I had the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, something my parents never had.  

What does ‘freedom’ mean to you? 

American citizens are blessed to live in a country that provides you with opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for career opportunities in employment fields of your choosing. I found that if I was willing to learn as much as possible about a career opportunity, maintain a positive attitude, and devote the necessary hours to perform beyond expectations, more opportunities became available to me. Many people living in other countries do not have these opportunities.  

If you would like to nominate a Veteran or local hero to be featured in Celebrating America Through Local Eyes, contact Brittany Richards at brittany@coastalbreezenews.com.