Kovitch is third recipient of Tracy Award

Date: 6/1/2010

June 2, 2010.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- Charles Kovitch didn't know when he was asked to attend the ceremony to announce the recipient of the third annual Charles Tracy Award that he was the one to be honored.

The Chicopee native and World War II Navy Sea-Bee said he was "very, very grateful."

"It's an honor," he added.

Mayor Michael Bissonnette said he started the Tracy Award with two reasons in mind. He wanted to honor "vets who have gone beyond mere participation" in the armed forces and as "a kick-off to Memorial Day activities."

"It's a reminder while during this holiday weekend that we should all give pause to remember why this is a holiday weekend," he added.

Kovitch said, "I'm proud to be a citizen of Chicopee, to have a mayor who is so committed to our veterans."

According to information supplied by Kimberly Babin, the city's director of veterans' services, Kovitch enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and was a member of the 143 Sea-Bee battalion. On the beaches of Calicoan Island in the Republic of the Philippines, his unit built a supply base to support American forces in the planned invasion of Japan.

He was discharged in 1946 and returned to Chicopee where he worked at Uniroyal Tire for the next 34 years. After leaving Uniroyal, he took a part-time job at Stop & Shop where he raised money for the Jimmy Fund and juvenile diabetes by selling hot dogs. After the Sept. 11, 2001 attack, he sought and was granted permission to raise funds at Stop & Shop for care packages to be sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. His "Hands Across The Sea" campaign has sent more than 46 packages to men and women overseas.

He has also organized dinners for returning vets and planned a show last year at Chicopee High School that honored the veterans of conflicts ranging back to the Civil War.

Last year, he also conducted two pizza parties for veterans living in the Holyoke Soldiers Home.

"It's been a joy to send packages to our troops ... it's something I love doing," Kovitch said.

The award is named for Charles Tracy, a Chicopee resident from 1853 to 1890 who was honored by Congress in 1897 with the Medal of Honor for two acts of heroism he committed during the Civil War.

The citation read: "At the risk of his own life, at Spotsylvania, 12 May 1864, assisted in carrying to a place of safety a wounded and helpless officer. On 2 April 1865, advanced with the pioneers, and, under heavy fire, assisted in removing 2 lines of chevaux-de-frise; was twice wounded but advanced to the third line, where he was again severely wounded, losing a leg."