![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-RALPHYOUNGMAN-1102.jpg\")
Young Air Force Vietnam veteran Ralph Galati after being held captive as a prisoner of war in Hanoi for 14 months during 1972-73. (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)\n\u2018The Ralph Galati Story\u2019 screening<\/p>\n
PHILADELPHIA \u2014 When the 11th annual Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade and Festival kicks off in Philadelphia at noon Sunday, Nov. 9, Delaware County\u2019s own Ralph Galati, a lifelong veterans advocate, will be honored as grand marshal of this year\u2019s parade.<\/p>\n
The parade itself will begin at 21st Street and Ben Franklin Parkway, with a route leading past the Philadelphia Art Museum to Eakins Oval. The festival, which features food, drinks and plenty of family-friendly activities, will be in full swing from noon to 4 p.m. at Eakins Oval.<\/p>\n
For the Hometown Heroes portion of the parade, the honored individuals who will march alongside Grand Marshal Ralph Galati are 2025 Hometown Heroes Joe Eastman, Vanessa Morbeck, Gerald Tempesta, Mary McCorvey and Daniel Lee, each \u201crepresenting the strength, resilience, and heart of Philadelphia\u2019s veteran community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Young Air Force Vietnam veteran Ralph Galati after being held captive as a prisoner of war in Hanoi for 14 months during 1972-73. (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)
\n\u2018The Ralph Galati Story\u2019 screening<\/p>\n
Festivities for the Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival kick off early this year with a feature-length documentary screening of \u201cThe Ralph Galati Story,\u201d by American Veterans Media.<\/p>\n
The screening is Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at The Mandeville Hall Teletorium at Saint Joseph\u2019s University, North 54th Street and City Avenue, Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
The documentary, directed and produced by Shawn Swords of Glenolden, with cinematography and editing by Art Swanlund of Collingdale, follows the life of Galati and features his time as a Vietnam combat pilot and as a 14-month prisoner of war in the infamous \u201cHanoi Hilton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swords and Swanlund are the storytellers. The film was also produced by James Kirlin, Paul Russo and Mark Kulkowitz. Music was provided by Bill Lauderbach, with art and graphics by Paul Russo.<\/p>\n
Doors for Friday\u2019s film premiere will open at 6:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
![\"Cinematographer](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-RALPHMEMORIAL-1102-e1762364915826.jpg\")
Cinematographer Art Swanlund films Ralph Galati with photos etched on the veterans memorial in Newtown Square. (AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)<\/p>\n
Hosted by former U.S. Rep. and Army Undersecretary Patrick Murphy, the film screening will be followed by a question-and-answer session. To RSVP for Friday\u2019s \u201cThe Ralph Galati Story\u201d premiere screening, go to https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/4kdazmp9.<\/a><\/p>\n The screening is free, but donations are appreciated to help support American Veterans Media\u2019s veterans-themed documentaries and programming. Donations can be made at www.americanveteransmedia.org\/donate.<\/a><\/p>\n The filmmakers interviewed dozens of veterans, friends, co-workers, neighbors, family members, fellow veterans advocates, community members and more to provide a well-rounded, accurate film about Galati. The veteran will watch the documentary for the very first time Friday night, along with the others in attendance at the St. Joe\u2019s premiere.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel nervous,\u201d said Galati, a former POW, Vietnam combat F-4 Weapon Systems Officer. \u201cI have yet to see it (the documentary), so I will be equally stunned along with the rest of the attendees, which should be fun!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRalph Galati is humble, self-deprecating, and accessible to everyone,\u201d said documentary director Shawn Swords, a Navy veteran. \u201cIn the veterans world, he is a true rock star. Whenever anyone meets Ralph, they can\u2019t believe his level of humility. We are so honored to be able to tell his story.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re around Ralph, you right away can tell he\u2019s a man of substance,\u201d added documentary producer\/cinematographer Art Swanlund, an Army veteran. \u201cHe is genuine, with no artificial facades. He is an advocate for all veterans and he has been a mentor to veterans and to veterans organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n American Veterans Media (AVM) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, dedicated to telling the stories of US Military Veterans through documentaries, Library of Congress interviews, academic curriculums, podcasts, video interviews and other media projects. AVM\u2019s mission is to preserve and share veterans\u2019 experiences, telling stories in their own voices, especially those that highlight courage, sacrifice, and the impact of military service on individuals and their families.<\/p>\n The nonprofit\u2019s goal is to educate, inform and enlighten as many people as possible about the reality and consequences of military service and its aftermath on veterans, their families, communities and people they served, as well as preserving these veterans\u2019 stories and military history \u00a0for future generations.<\/p>\n AVM\u2019s feature-length documentaries include \u201cRemember The 27 Crusaders,\u201d \u201cEdison 64,\u201d The Lads of Swampoodle,\u201d Ask Me About My Hero: A Gold Star Family Documentary,\u201d and \u201cThe Ralph Galati Story.\u201d<\/p>\n Over the course of the next year, AVM will release \u201cThe Longest Yarn,\u201d a story about the creation of The Longest Yarn Tapestry, composed of 80 1-meter panels representing 80 days from D-Day through the liberation of Paris. The tapestry was knitted and crocheted by over a thousand volunteers worldwide to depict the build-up in England, the invasion of Normandy, and other key events of that period.<\/p>\n The \u201cThe Longest Yarn\u201d documentary explores what the tapestry represents: the memories of D-Day and the experience of veterans. The AVM film crew has traveled to three countries in Europe and parts of America to get the full, emotional story.<\/p>\n American Veterans Media is partnering with The Pennsylvania Cable Network to present all six of their veterans-themed documentary films on cable television.<\/p>\n Beginning earlier this fall, over the course of six months, one of their documentaries will run every month. All documentaries will be available on Pennsylvania Cable Network Demand\/Select during the month that they premiere. AVM will continue to run the documentaries on Philadelphia Cable.<\/p>\n AVM is comprised of noted military scholars, veterans themed media entities, veterans, veterans advocates and the production team that produced the veteran-themed documentaries, as well as several other documentaries, including \u201cWages of Spin,\u201d \u201cCharlie Gracie Fabulous,\u201d \u201cDuffy\u2019s Cut\u201d and television content that has been exhibited\/distributed thru PBS, Fox, TCM, UPN and Irish\/Sky TV.<\/p>\n Galati was born in Philadelphia to parents Domenick and Lydia (DiMarco) Galati.<\/p>\n When Ralph was 12 years old in the sixth grade, the family moved to the Folsom section of Ridley Township.<\/p>\n He is a proud graduate of the former St. James High School in Chester, Class of 1966. Galati earned a Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph\u2019s University, Philadelphia, in 1970 and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Air Force.<\/p>\n Galati attended flight training school in 1970, and received his wings in 1971.<\/p>\n He was a weapon systems officer and forward air controller in the F-4 Phantom aircraft assigned to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand in the fall of 1971. On Feb. 16, 1972, Galati and his pilot were shot down over North Vietnam and were immediately captured and taken to Hanoi.<\/p>\n He spent the next 14 months as a prisoner of war and was repatriated on March 28, 1973.<\/p>\n Galati served in the Air Force for eight years as a flight instructor, curriculum developer, and at the Pentagon with the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Legislative Liaison.<\/p>\n The military hero\u2019s awards include The Silver Star; The Bronze Star with Valor w\/one Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC); The Air Medal w\/ four OLC; The Air Force Commendation Medal w\/ two OLC; The Purple Heart w\/one OLC; and The POW Medal.<\/p>\n Galati was hired by IBM in 1979, and retired in 2007 after 28 years. He has also served as a university adjunct professor and academic adviser at Widener University, Cabrini College and St. Joseph\u2019s University from 1982 to 2012.<\/p>\n From 2011 to 2013, Galati served as the veterans liaison for Delaware County. His role included outreach efforts across the county, as well as ensuring that all Delaware County veterans and their families received the benefits to which they were entitled.<\/p>\n He was also the founder and former director of the Office of Veterans Services at St. Joseph\u2019s University, his alma mater. The office was responsible for developing and implementing small business and entrepreneurship training programs for veterans.<\/p>\n Galati is now retired, but continues to work on veterans issues through his position on the Board of Directors of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, and the Delaware Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.<\/p>\n When asked why it always felt so important to him to lead a life of advocating for fellow veterans, Galati replied, \u201cIt is my comfort zone. Once I retired, I naturally migrated to a space where I felt I could make an impact, not just to veterans but to families as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Galati was among the first Delaware County Veterans Memorial\u2019s Freedom Medal awardees in 2014.<\/p>\n Ralph is also the inaugural Philadelphia Foundation Weinberg Fellow, working with VetJobs.com on improving career opportunities for veterans and families.<\/p>\n Ralph has been the proud recipient of the following awards:<\/p>\n \u2022 Lifetime Achievement Award \u2013 Delaware County Chamber of Commerce<\/p>\n \u2022 Lifetime Service Award (Veterans of Distinction) \u2013 Philadelphia Business Journal<\/p>\n \u2022 Eagle, Globe and Anchor Award \u2013 Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation<\/p>\n \u2022 Patriotism Award \u2013 Washington Crossing Foundation<\/p>\n \u2022 Legion of Honor Gold Medallion \u2013 Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation<\/p>\n \u2022 The Philadelphia Bowl \u2013 City of Philadelphia<\/p>\n \u2022 The Magis Award \u2013 City of Philadelphia<\/p>\n \u2022 The Themis Award \u2013 Delaware County Bar Association.<\/p>\n \u201cRalph was one of the most articulate interviews that we\u2019ve ever had the honor of doing,\u201d Swords shared. \u201cHe has always been very concise in what he says and does and very impactful, right on the money. He\u2019s a great leader and one of the nicest men you\u2019d ever want to meet.\u201d<\/p>\n Galati was one of six veterans chosen nationwide by Evan Williams Bourbon to be honored with the release of their Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Evan Williams 1783 limited edition bottles this past summer.<\/p>\n He was also honored with a sweet treat named after him this summer.<\/p>\n Cool Scoops Ice Cream Emporium and Museum at 12th and New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood began serving Galati Gelati, a red, white and blue ice cream and water ice treat.<\/p>\n The military hero, a resident of Wallingford, is married to Rosemary (Hatten) Galati, and they have two children. In December, the couple will celebrate 55 years of marriage.<\/p>\n \u201cRalph is a guy that you just enjoy being around,\u201d Swords said. \u201cHe\u2019s down-to-earth, easy to talk to, and has no airs about him. He\u2019s warm and friendly to everyone that he meets.\u201d<\/p>\n Galati said that being the grand marshal of the Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade will only be the second time that he has been honored in a parade. The first time was when he came home from Vietnam in 1973.<\/p>\n \u201cI just didn\u2019t feel good about being in that parade,\u201d he said. \u201cI kept thinking about all my comrades who didn\u2019t get to come home or didn\u2019t get the honor of being welcomed by a parade. So, I turned down every parade offer after that day.\u201d<\/p>\n Over 50 years later, Galati made the decision to participate in the 2025 parade, but does not want to ride in a special vehicle. He wants to be walking, side by side with his fellow veterans.<\/p>\n Now that the parade is only days away, Galati is looking forward to returning to his roots, in honor of all who have served.<\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019m honored and excited to be representing veterans, especially Vietnam Veterans, in the city that I was born and raised,\u201d Galati said this week.<\/p>\n AVM will offer \u201cThe Ralph Galati Story\u201d as a pay-per-view streaming option at\u00a0http:\/\/americanveteransmedia.org<\/a> after Thanksgiving. The website will also offer a limited amount of the documentary on DVD.<\/p>\n American Veterans Media will be set up on Eakins Oval during the Veterans Fair on Nov. 9, where people can meet the filmmakers and get more information about purchasing AVM\u2019s documentaries. Their veterans\u2019 documentaries will run on a loop in the Hospitality Tent at the Festival.<\/p>\n More information<\/p>\n For more details about the parade and festival on Sunday, go to http:\/\/phillyveteransparade.org.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Art](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-RALPHVETMEMORIAL-1102-e1762364398172.jpg\")
Art Swanlund films Air Force veteran Ralph Galati looking out at the Delaware County Veterans Memorial on West Chester Pike in Newtown Square. Galati was among the very first Delaware County Freedom Medal recipients in 2014. (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)<\/p>\n![\"Filmmakers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-SHAWNART-1023.jpg\")
Filmmakers Shawn Swords, left, of Glenolden, and Art Swanlund, of Collingdale, tell the story of Vietnam Veteran\/ former POW Ralph Galati in their new feature-length documentary, \u201cThe Ralph Galati Story.\u201d (PEG DEGRASSA – DAILY TIMES)<\/p>\n![\"Air](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-GALATISTJAMES-1024.jpg\")
Air Force Veteran Ralph Galati, a 1966 graduate of the former St. James High School for Boys, outside the St. James Alumni Doghouse in Eddystone. (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)
\nRalph Galati: military hero, educator, veterans advocate<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-WELCOMEHOMERALPH-1023.jpg\")
A giant sign in front of the Ridley Township Municipal Building on MacDade Boulevard in Folsom in the 1970s welcomed Ralph Galati home from Vietnam. (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-RALPHWCOMRADES-1023-e1762365612686.jpg\")
A young Ralph Galati between two fellow Air Force comrades in summer of 1971 during F-4 Training at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)<\/p>\n![\"Ralph](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-BOURBON-0620-02-rotated-e1750365769564.jpg\")
Ralph Galati of Wallingford was one of six veterans chosen nationwide to be recognized by Evan Williams Bourbon as a 2025 American Made Hero. (COURTESY OF EVAN WILLIAMS)<\/p>\n![\"Air](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-RALPHPREVIOUSPARADE-1102.jpg\")
Air Force Vietnam veteran Ralph Galati after being held captive as a prisoner of war in Hanoi for 14 months during 1972-73. No one else in the photo was identified. (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DTD-L-DOCUMENTARYPOSTER-1023.jpg\")
The new American Veterans Media documentary, “The Ralph Galati Story,” is set to debut Friday, Nov. 7, as part of the events planned leading up to Veterans Day (COURTESY OF AMERICAN VETERANS MEDIA)<\/p>\n