Memorial Day: Remember the Fallen

Memorial Day is an emotional day for those of us who have lost loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Military members, whether enlisted by draft or by volunteering, have served with the concept of unlimited liability. They were subjected to being lawfully ordered into harm’s way. Unfortunately, not all who died in service to our country are remembered. World War I counted over 116,000 American fatalities in combat, disease, or accident.

As a retired military member, I serve the veteran community. In this work, I have found a way to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice yet whose memory has not been honored. As the Chair of the Western New York chapter, American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces (SAF) Committee, I help to organize events to honor them.

A special section in Lewiston’s Riverdale Cemetery, purchased by the former Niagara Falls chapter, American Red Cross, honors those who died in World War I but had no family to claim them. For years, the memory of those buried in this section was neglected. Now, the WNY Chapter of the American Red Cross annually honors the sacrifice of these 82 veterans. Volunteers plant flowers on their graves during the Memorial Day weekend. These gravesites surround an American Red Cross monument erected by the former Chapter to honor these unclaimed veterans. The monument’s inscription reads:

 

In memory of those who gave their lives and of those who served and fought in the great world’s war, 1914-1918. That democracy might live and peace and justice reign.

In December of each year, Red Cross volunteers conduct Wreaths Across America, where all services are honored, harkening back to the collective experience in World War I. We encourage every volunteer who places a wreath on a veteran's grave to say that veteran’s name aloud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. It's a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive, and I encourage you to say the name of someone who paid the ultimate sacrifice. If you do not know of anyone, consider some of those buried at the Riverdale Cemetery:

Privates Earl O. Jarden (Lost Battalion of the 308^th Infantry Regiment), Vincent Cirrito, Roy B. Secord, Stephen Wojtucki, (all served in the 77^th Infantry Division known as the “Statute of Liberty Division” and the 78^th Infantry Division, nicknamed the Lighting Division, comprised mainly of soldiers from New York State), Sergeant Richard Arvaniti (22^nd Infantry Regiment served as part of the 3rd Division of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in France including the Meuse-Argonne offensive – the largest offensive operation in US history involving over 1 million soldiers).

Remember, we do not do this to decorate graves.

Each evening at the Menin battlefield gate at Ypres, Belgium, a special ceremony honors the fallen who rest there. Words from the fourth verse of Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen are read:

 

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.”

 

As you enjoy the time spent with family and friends, please reflect on the freedoms we share and remember the fallen, particularly those who have no one to remember them.

 

Written by: Robert E. Pecoraro. Robert retired as a Colonel from the United States Air Force in 2012 and moved home to WNY with his wife, Laura. He currently serves as Chair of the Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) committee for the WNY chapter of the American Red Cross of Western New York.