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by Jane Stahl
With another Memorial Day parade and commemorative ceremony complete, a lone brass player-- along with parade participants and attendees-- head home, but lingering are the words of Chaplain Mark Malizzi urging remembrance: “We must never forget that our Freedom was not free, there was an extremely expensive cost and we can never let it be in vain.”
To assist in remembrance, Chaplain Malizzi, on behalf of the Boyertown American Legion, offered single stars taken from retired flags that could be worn or pocketed. The tokens carry the message, “I am part of your American flag that has flown over the USA. I can no longer fly. The sun and Winds caused me to become tattered and torn. Please Carry me as a reminder of your Freedom and that I am not forgotten.”
The Chaplain reminded listeners of an on-going flag project in which flags fly for a month in memory of a veteran and are then donated to family members. Bricks in two sizes with veterans’ names, rank, and service corps, engraved and installed along the Honor Walk, are a third project inspiring remembrance offered by the American Legion, Post 471.
Mayor Lori Carnes offered thanks for the many gestures of service of community members, saying, “Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to preserve the memory of our fallen heroes. To those who decorate the graves at Christmas, those who placed the flags for today’s ceremony, and those who participated in today’s ceremony. It speaks volumes about the respect and appreciation you hold for their service and we are grateful.”
She continued, urging listeners to carry the spirit of Memorial Day throughout the year, supporting veterans and their families, and never forgetting the price of liberty. She expressed her personal gratitude for the honor of serving a community that understands the meaning of service and sacrifice.
Left to right: Sharing a hug are Mayor Lori Carnes and Betty Zimmerman, step-mother of the late Private Travis C. Zimmerman, killed in 2005 in Iraq and the inspiration for Bear Fever's G.I.Joe sculpture that stands in salute at Fairview Cemetery.
Donations from the purchase of poppies “will go in their entirety to the rehabilitation and children welfare funds to helllp the Legion’s and Auxiliary’s and the V.F.W. efforts for the disabled fighting men of all wars, and for the children of the dead and the disabled,” as stated in the program.
In addition to Carnes and Malizzi, welcome remarks were given by William Johannessen from American Legion Post 471 and Commander Val Bartchak. Boy Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance, Boyertown High School Band rendered “The Star Spangeled Banner,” wreaths were placed, honoring each branch of service; a combined Boyertown Middle School Bands offered a musical tribute followed by the benediction and a salute from the American Legion Post 471 firing squads.
The solemn ceremony was met in equal measure by attendees who dressed to mark the occasion.
The parade itself offered participation from local school and alumni bands, boy scout and JNJROTC troops, cadres of twirlers, showings from fire houses and the local historical museums featuring vehicles and honoring World War II soldiers including Boyertown’s Hometown Hero General Carl A. Spaatz.
...and a photographer ...capturing some memories.
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