By Ben Hickey and Jordan Hart
This spring, local Wakefield seniors and Wakefield Memorial High School seniors came together for lunch, conversation, and interviews as part of a cross-generational program called Seniors to Seniors. The resulting articles written by journalism students are being published as a series. Seniors to Seniors is a collaboration between Wakefield Memorial High School, The Savings Bank, JC Marketing Associates, The Room to Write, The Wakefield Daily Item, and the Wakefield Senior Center.
Teenagers today have an assortment of things to worry about. They could be worrying about getting that car that they need, searching for a job, getting stellar grades all around, and fitting into society the best they can. However, David Mangan had different worries on his mind as he was finishing high school. This is because at the age of 18, Mangan was drafted into the United States Military to fight in the Vietnam War. David was born in Mount Auburn Hospital in Massachusetts on May 8th, 1950. He lived in a cold-water flat, then moved to the Jefferson Park housing project, then to a three-decker home with his parents and his siblings. He soon attended Cambridge Elementary and later, Cambridge High School. After his senior year, he planned to go to Rochester School of Photography to pursue his dream, yet fate had other plans. The country was at war, and David was one of the many young men to receive a draft notice.
David was stationed in Thailand at a base called Takhli. Soon after, he received a promotion to staff sergeant at the age of 19. He also spent temporary time at a nearby base, Nikon Phanom (NKP). While in the military, he learned much about the idea of discipline. Mangan describes the term as “the art of being able to influence and direct yourself in such a way that you can obtain the obedience, confidence, respect, and above all, the loyal cooperation in order to accomplish your mission.” Discipline helped him get through the war, and later it was what helped David guide himself onto the path of success.
After the war, Mangan had started to work for a small company now known as Frito-Lay. When he joined them, the company started to branch out by buying Doritos and other brands. After 21 years at Frito-Lay, he began working at Boston College, a job he accepted because of its proximity to his apartment on Newton Corner. David states that because of Boston College, he became a more experienced chip salesman in the states within a span of 12 years “So I became the top salesman in the country for twelve years because of Boston College.” He worked for Boston College for 24 years and at Frito-Lay for 21 years, retiring soon after.
Nowadays, David spends his time working as a Veterans’ Service Officer at the Wakefield Senior Center. He lives here in Wakefield with his current wife, Christine. He says that he’s had a privileged life through adversity and experience, and would do it all over again if given the opportunity. He also has some words to share for all young generations that make up our town, “Pay attention to everything that surrounds you, in your society, your family, your faith, and yourselves. Look in the mirror. Find who you are. Know that you cannot fail even if you understand the direction that you’re going in.”
