Veterans Day service well attended despite rain

Town dedicates plaque to local POW members

by Lisa Ariganello
Grand Island Dispatch, November 14, 2003

Sprinkling rain clouds and cold winds did not prevent Grand Island residents from venturing out to Veterans Park to honor past and present veterans Tuesday morning.

Nearly 75 people were in attendance for the service, which took place directly in front of the Memorial Wall - near the Bedell Road entrance of the park.

The event commenced when town Supervisor Peter McMahon introduced Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9249 Commander Mike Cutini. Cutini lead the gathering in a Pledge to the Flag. Following the pledge, VFW Post 9249 Chaplain Mike Rogan gave the invocation.

McMahon then stepped forward and delivered a heart warming speech. His words reflected a critical time for members of the Armed Forces currently stationed in the Middle East and around the world.

"More than 130,000 brave men and women are risking their lives for us in Iraq. I can't remember a single day since the major hostilities ended that there hasn't been at least one story of an attack, which resulted in an injury or death to a member of our Armed Forces." McMahon said.

He continued, "While Iraq occupies the front page, many more, perhaps tens of thousands more members of our Armed Forces are serving in other places, like Afghanistan, which are equally dangerous."

The speech concluded with the recognition of the importance of Veterans Day and a general thanks to our current and past veterans for their brave and selfless contribution to our nation's safety.

Commander of American Legion, Robert Solari, commander of the Disabled American Veterans, Paul Kane, and Cutini then placed a wreath in front of the Memorial Wall. The Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Color Guard and members of the VFW Post 9249 lead the service in a salute to the fallen, while Kevin Laurendi and Joe Orsolits, music students at Grand Island High School played taps. The service concluded with a Benediction, given by Rogan.

Special Recognition

Following the service, the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW hosted an open house and lunch buffet at VFW Post 9249. The ladies combined their resources and cooking skills over the course of three days and supplied an overabundance of food.

The memorial service then continued under the VFW Post 9249 pavilion. Supervisor McMahon and members of the town board dedicated the area to Pfc. Walter "Lefty" Kendzierski and Lt. Col. Torgeir B. Fadum and presented the VFW with a plaque in their honor.

Kendzierski and Fadum are two veterans living on Grand Island, whose service in the Armed Forces resulted in being taken prisoners of war.

Fadum entered the U.S Army on Dec. 14, 1942, and served in the Air Forces in World War II. He was taken prisoner of war on Aug. 14, 1944, and was held in captivity until April 30, 1945. He was honorably discharged in July, 1946, and faithfully served in the Air Force Reserves until March 15, 1973. Fadum was then discharged as a lieutenant colonel.

Kendzierski entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 27, 1942, and was taken prisoner of war on Dec. 17, 1944. He was held in captivity until the end of hostilities, May 6, 1945. Kendzierski was honorably discharged as a private first class on Sept. 27, 1945.