Bill OBoyle: Be there today and everyday for our fallen heroes
May 26—No matter what the weather will be on Memorial Day, be there.
Attend a parade, a ceremony, a service — be there for the fallen heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice for you, me, everybody.
It's the very least we can do.
Memorial Day is about remembrance — remembering what our brave men and women of the military did for all Americans to preserve our freedom and to preserve peace.
And they did it without question, obeying orders and they met the enemy knowing at all times that their next breath could be their last.
They did that for us.
Don't say "Happy Memorial Day" today — there is nothing happy about this time. Show your respect and honor those who died in the line of duty and all the others who shed their blood for us.
The first time I heard "Taps" played was at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Shawnee Cemetery along Mountain Road in Plymouth many years back. My dad would take me to that ceremony every year because he felt it was imperative to honor veterans for all they did for our country.
We stood and listened to the speeches, the tributes, and "Taps" as we prayed for their souls.
A few years ago I attended a ceremony at the local VA Medical Center. All around me were veterans. Many wore the scars of war — some visible on the outside, others hidden inside.
As I thanked each and every one there, you could see the pride in their eyes. You could see how they felt about their country and their flag and the red white and blue blood that flows through their patriotic bodies.
They all knew why they had to do what they did. And they knew that those who didn't return should never be forgotten.
These are my heroes. They always have been — ever since my dad instilled in me the importance of honoring and respecting veterans of all wars.
That's why I never complained when he took me to veterans ceremonies. That's why I stood at attention next to him and listened to those speeches. That's why, like him, I loudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Patriotism needs to be nurtured and perpetuated — not just on Memorial Day, but every day. An American flag flies outside my front door every day. And veterans and their families are always in my prayers.
The 105th annual West Side Veterans Memorial Day Parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. sharp on Memorial Day, May 27, honoring America's fallen heroes.
The parade will begin at Kingston Corners and proceed to the Forty Fort Cemetery, where the annual program will be held honoring all fallen veterans of all wars.
As always, a large crowd is expected to line the parade route and attend the ceremony at the Forty Fort Cemetery.
Grand marshal
Rich Pries, past commander of the Black Diamond American Legion Post 395 in Kingston, who has helped coordinate many of the past parades, has been selected as this year's Grand Marshal — a much deserving honor.
Pries proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 through 1971.
He also served as commander of the Black Diamond American Legion Post 395 in Kingston for five tours — longer than any commander since the post was chartered in 1919.
Commander Pries was also the person who started the "Homeless Veteran Fund" at the Kingston American Legion — now called the "Veteran Assistance Fund."
Pries accomplished getting a number of homeless vets out from under bridges and wooded areas back into main stream society. He said gaining their trust wasn't always the easiest thing to accomplish, but his perseverance proved worthy of his effort.
Richie Pries is a dear friend. He and his wife of 51 years, Diane, have four sons — Erik, Corey, Kris and Nick; daughters-in-law, Berdina (Erik), Joanie (Corey) and Heather, (Kris); two grandchildren, Megan and Hunter Pries.
I will be standing along the parade route for Rich Pries and all veterans — especially those who never returned. And for those who shed blood in battle and for all who served.
I will stand and smile as each band marches by, as all those emergency vehicles pass with sirens blaring and lights flashing, and as every organization appears and waves, I will wave back.
This is patriotism at its best. There will be flags waving everywhere and red, white and blue will be the colors of the day.
At Friday's Memorial Day ceremony at the VAL Medical Center, a POW/MIA Missing Man table was set up. Albert Heydt, U.S. Air Force, recited the POW/MIA Missing Man Table poem.
According to the War Memorial website, each item on the Missing Man Table represents the emotions and feelings reserved for those who did not come home. The ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. All Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call to serve and fought for our freedom with honor.
The symbolism of the Missing Man Table:
—The table is round, to show our everlasting concern for our missing men.
—The cloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to serve.
—The single red rose; displayed in a vase, reminds us of the lives of these Americans and their loved ones and friends who keep the faith while seeking answers.
—The red ribbon symbolizes our continued determination to account for our missing.
—A slice of lemon reminds us of their bitter fate; captured and missing in a foreign land.
—A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears of our missing and their families who long for answers after decades of uncertainty.
—The lighted candle reflects our hope for their return, alive or dead.
—The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain us and those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God.
—The glass is inverted, symbolizing their inability to share a toast.
—The chair is empty, the seat that remains unclaimed at the table.
It's all about remembrance.
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
