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.

Celebrate Safely This Memorial Day

These are busy times for us. Of course, our hearts go out to the people of Moore, OK and everyone affected by this week's devastating tornadoes. The Red Cross relief efforts will continue throughout the holiday weekend and the days and weeks ahead.

Here in Western New York, we're also getting ready for the 15th Anniversary of The BASH, which believe it or not is two weeks from today. During your long holiday weekend, take a look at some of the great auction items that will be up for bid this year, and then get your tickets for the party of the summer!

Of course, many people consider Memorial Day Weekend to be the unofficial kickoff to summer. Thousands of people will be hitting the roads, firing up the grills, and hitting the water (as hard as that may be to believe with our temperatures in the 40s right now). Here's some safety tips everyone can follow not just this weekend, but throughout the summer months ahead!

DRIVE SAFELY With more people on the roads, it’s important to drive safely. Be well rested and alert, use seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road. If plans include drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink. Other tips for a safe trip include:

• Give one’s full attention to the road.  Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
• Don’t follow another vehicle too closely.
• Use caution in work zones.
• Make frequent stops. 
• Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night.
• Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. Don’t overdrive the headlights. 

GRILLING SAFETY The Red Cross offers these tips to stay safe while cooking those tasty cookout treats:

Ombudsman volunteer Ray Boehm safely works the grill
with fellow volunteers at a recent recognition picnic.

• Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use, and make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
• Keep the chef safe by using the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill to cut off the fuel if necessary.
• Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch any falling ash or grease.
• Trim excess fat from meat to avoid flare-ups.
• Wash one’s hands in hot soapy water before preparing food, after touching raw meat and after any interruptions such as using the bathroom, handling pets, stopping to do something with children.

SWIMMING SAFETY Learning to swim is one of the best steps someone can take to be safe around water. People can contact their local Red Cross chapter and learn how to swim as well as get the facts about water safety, home pool safety, first aid and CPR classes. Other swimming safety tips include:

• Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
• Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. 

POOL SAFETY It’s important to constantly supervise children when they are near water, and in WNY we've already seen an unfortunate example of the dangers this spring. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water. Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. 

The Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF) have developed an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners. Home Pool Essentials helps people understand the risks of pool ownership, how to maintain a safer and cleaner pool, what safety equipment is appropriate, how to prevent pool and hot tub entrapment hazards, and how to respond to an emergency.

DOWNLOAD FIRST AID APP Another thing people can do is download the free Red Cross first aid app which puts expert advice for everyday emergency at someone’s fingertips. The free app is available for direct download from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.