From POW to VIP, Bulldawgs Wrestler Dramesi Returns to Haddonfield
Held prisoner six years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, Haddonfield graduate John A. Dramesi relied on the skills he learned on the wrestling mat to survive.
John Dramesi wasn’t the best wrestler when he first took to the mat as part of the inaugural 1948-49 Haddonfield Memorial High School wrestling team. In fact, he wasn’t very good at all. “I can remember my first year of wrestling I lost every match,” said Dramesi, who is being honored along with his brother Leonard Saturday at the Bulldawgs match against Buena at 10 a.m. “I never got pinned though; I can tell you that.” The toughness he showed way back in 1948 was a mere fraction of the inner and outer strength he would need years later. Dramesi, 80, is a retired U.S. Air Force officer who was held as a prisoner of war (POW) for six years at Hanoi Hilton in North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. As a POW, Dramesi underwent unthinkable types…
In this Article:
Jeremiah Wright
9:47 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
As a proud American and the son of a seriously wonded Korean War vet, I thank you Mr Dramesi from the bottom of my heart. And Kudos to Haddonfield wrestling for honoring this man. Sadly, we don't see enough honoring of our service members - past or present - in our schools today. more ›