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Memorial Day remembers fallen comrades Lewiston Porter Sentinel, May 28, 2005 Local Memorial Day observances planned Memorial Day is a time set aside to remember the sacrifices of America’s sons and daughters who gave their last full measure of devotion while serving our nation. Obviously, this includes the almost daily casualties due to enemy fire in Iraq and Afghanistan. In honor of those personnel still serving in harm’s way on the many bases and ships around the world, some Memorial Day ceremonies Monday will also include recognition of their efforts, especially those returning veterans suffering from the wounds of war. Special Ceremony “We’re having a special ceremony this Memorial Day for an Iraq war veteran named Michael Shea,” said Village of Youngstown Mayor Neil Riordan. It’s reported that the highly decorated Army solider recorded at least 13 enemy kills in Iraq before being wounded. “We have a special proclamation and are planning a very appropriate and tasteful ceremony for the occasion,” he said. The mayor also discussed improvements at Veteran’s Park. Currently, the park has a 60-foot flagpole, a garden and a copper-encased kiosk that glows through the night to highlight the names of all military veterans from the Town of Porter and Village of Youngstown. “With assistance from the Youngstown and Porter VFW Post 313, we have about 2,000 names so far and plan to add several hundred more in the next year,” he continued. “It’s something we needed to do to recognize our citizens that once served our nation and also thank them for the freedoms we all enjoy today,” the mayor concluded. Preserving Freedoms Youngstown native and Army Veteran Michael Roemer, 45, also spoke about the freedoms we enjoy and helping to preserve them by supporting local veterans’ organizations. A 1982 graduate of West Point, he served with the U.S. Army 24th Infantry Div., 3rd Combat Engineering Battalion. He is also a past commander of Lewiston’s American Legion Post 1083. “For a while, the majority of our Legion members were World War II veterans. Obviously we’re losing them and need to get more young people to support the organization,” he explained. “Most new veterans don’t join a veteran’s group until they get into their 30s or older. So, it may become necessary to combine various veterans groups, at least locally by sharing building costs for overall preservation,” he added. Most veterans’ organizations already work together on patriotic and military events, yet more and more of them are unable to maintain a permanent building for their post. Lewiston’s veterans are hosting a parade down Center Street and a ceremony at Academy Park for Memorial Day starting at 11a.m.. Honored to Serve Additionally, the Lewiston Legion member’s brother, Lt. Col. Patrick Roemer, 42, is the base civil engineer with the 107th Air Refueling Wing, Air Guard, at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. The 20-year veteran served in military conflicts such as: Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf, Restore Hope in Somalia, and Enduring Freedom with Homeland Security. “I feel extremely honored to have served with the many dedicated men and women of these campaigns that have helped to maintain our strength and positive guidance around the world,” he said. He also spoke of those service members who paid the ultimate price for our freedom while fighting in those conflicts. “Memorial Day is all about honoring them. We are constantly reminded that freedom isn’t free, and that there are people on those walls every day guarding it,” he added. Roemer also commented on the possible closure of his air base. “I hope we stay open, yet either way, I have a very positive outlook that we’ll move forward and do whatever’s best for the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard,” the Lt. Col. said. He also praised the Niagara Military Affairs Council. “The NIMAC is doing a great job looking out for our base and the fine personnel that staff it,” he concluded. A Day of Remembrance Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its roots with many towns laying claim to being the birthplace of the event. The observance was born out of compassion and empathy during the Civil War. It is said that as women's groups in the South started to dress up the grave sites of their Confederate soldiers, they noticed the graves of Union soldiers were also in need of grooming and fresh flowers. The tradition of a “Decoration Day” spread as a gesture of healing and reconciliation in a land ripped and torn by war. During that troubled era, it was later expanded to cover all wars. Almost 100 years later, it became a federal holiday in 1971. It's difficult to prove its origins conclusively. It’s more likely the day had many separate beginnings, with each planned or spontaneous event contributing to the growing movement of honoring our war dead. This year’s Memorial Day commemorates the loss of recent thousands in the Gulf and countless millions in the past who gave their all while serving our nation. Yet most importantly, Memorial Day is not about division, but rather reconciliation in their honor. V-E Day This year’s Memorial Day event also commemorates the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and many other worldwide events that help end World War II almost 60 years ago. On May 8, 1945, the Allies of WW II formally celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. Yet, for many serving in the Pacific, the war would continue a few more months until two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. Among all the flowers that evoke the memories and emotions of war, the most recognizable is the red poppy. The flower became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, "In Flander's Field," describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen. The VFW was the first veterans' organization to adopt the poppy and develop a national distribution campaign. For more than 75 years, the VFW's Buddy Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of veterans' welfare and the well being of their dependents. In Flander’s Fields
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