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In Memory of Alan Reilly

By David Cline

On the morning of October 14, 2006, while riding a subway train to New York City, Alan E. Reilly was found dead from a heart attack. He was 54 years old and had been a helicopter repairman in Vietnam during 1971-72. He worked as an independent graphic artist and lived with his wife Paulette in Harrison, NJ.

For many years Al was an active member of the Clarence Fitch (NY-NJ) chapter of VVAW as well as NJ Veterans For Peace Chapter 21 and the Jersey City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee. He was involved in assisting the homeless, whether it was standdowns in Newark or personal efforts to feed the homeless who often lived by the railroad track near where he lived. He also volunteered as a horticulturalist at Garretson Farm, a community-run garden in northern Jersey.

He is survived by his wife, mother and father, sister and three bothers. He was buried with a military color guard and honors. Alan was a very humble person, not the type to jump in front of a camera or microphone. He just kept plugging away for what was right and just, constantly marching against the war in Iraq, helping others and educating the public about the true nature of war abroad and here at home.

He will be greatly missed by his comrades and friends. Rest in peace brother, you will not be forgotten.