Burial at Sea: Portsmouth Memorial Day tribute honors military in 'scary times'

PORTSMOUTH — Mayor Deaglan McEachern said “all the uncertainty in the world” makes us think about the ongoing sacrifice of those who serve in the military to protect us.

“It is a scary time in the world. Certainly, we think about our military in scary times. And how they protect us,” McEachern said during an interview after the city’s annual Burial at Sea ceremony at Prescott Park at the edge of the Piscataqua River. “There is a renewed sense because of all the uncertainty in the world that we face, about the sacrifice shown by those in the military.”

He stressed that as a country, “it all works because of sacrifice, sacrifice people make on behalf of others.

“I think we are at a point in our country where that is needed more than anything else, a belief that we are stronger together and we owe a responsibility to our fellow man and women to make this country as good as we can make it,” McEachern said after the brief ceremony attended by more than 75 people and the Portsmouth Middle School band.

“Those that have sacrificed and made the ultimate sacrifice, represent the truest test of that,” Portsmouth’s mayor said at the event that traditionally marks the start of the Memorial Day weekend, paying tribute to those who fought and died for our country.

“It’s an inspiration to those who were willing to give up everything that we are here,” he added.

City Councilor Josh Denton, who emceed the event, said it is held to “pay tribute to all those lost or buried at sea while honorably serving their country during both war and peacetime.”

Denton is an Army veteran who saw active duty in Iraq. He is also the commander of Portsmouth’s VFW Post 168 and worked with the city to coordinate this year’s Memorial Day events.

He told the people in attendance the Portsmouth Memorial Day parade will return this year, and kick off Monday at 1 p.m. at the Parrott Avenue parking lot.

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Denton credited the Portsmouth Middle School band for attending the event and playing several songs.

“I love having seen you march in for the first time since COVID,” Denton told the students.

During the ceremony, McEachern and Jonathan Day, also of VFW Post 168, participated in the traditional tossing of a bouquet into the Piscataqua to honor those service people lost at sea.

The traditional annual event – which was held on a hot and sunny late May morning – was attended by multiple members of the Fire Department, including Fire Chief William McQuillen.

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Several city councilors attended including Rich Blalock, Kate Cook and Andrew Bagley.

McEachern praised the turnout for Friday morning’s event.

“Portsmouth has a long history of military service. We’re looking at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, we’re home to Pease and the Coast Guard Station is right down the road,” he said. “There’s so many people who have sacrificed for our country and to see such a great turnout here today on this beautiful day with the Portsmouth Middle School band, it really does warm the heart.”

Thanks to retiring Portsmouth school music leader Steve Cirillo

McEachern also paid tribute to Steven Cirillo, the performing arts coordinator for city schools, who directed the middle school band at what will be his last Burial at Sea event because he’s retiring this year.

“Steve has been with Portsmouth for more than 30 years … He’s been to so many events and brought the band to so many events honoring our military, so it’s a big day for Steve,” McEachern said.

A couple of band members struggled with the heat Friday morning and had to sit down and recover, before returning to play.

“It’s a long walk down here, and it’s a long day standing around,” said McEachern, a former saxophone player in the band.

Ken Kowalchek represented Temple Israel of Portsmouth and gave the benediction during Friday’s event.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Burial at Sea: Portsmouth Memorial Day tribute honors military