PRESS RELEASE from VFW Calabash Post 7288
For immediate release
Calabash VFW Post 7288 Remembers the Fallen on Memorial Day.
By Frederick Walton
5/27/2024 Calabash-You couldn’t ask for better weather on Memorial Day. A perfect day for the beach. But the clear blue skies and warm temperatures didn’t keep a a large crowd, cheerfully dressed in red, white and blue, from gathering in the air conditioned comfort of the Calabash Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7288 in Calabash for their annual Memorial day service. Veteran’s were joined by their friends and families to commemorate Memorial Day. A time to remember those who gave their lives for our country. A time to reflect on the true cost of the freedom we often take for granted. A time to remember that for many families, every day is Memorial day because their loved ones will never return home.
The West Brunswick High School JROTC color guard posted the National colors while those gathered rose for the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National anthem led by Post 7288 Commander Mike DiChiara. Following the opening prayer by Post Chaplain Jim Stueve, The commander made some opening remarks to welcome the crowd of over 150 people and introduced the guest speaker.
Keynote speaker, Colonel Donald Whitfield. U. S. Army (ret.), a member of the post, talked about the sacrifices made on our behalf. He shared a quote by President Theodore Roosevelt,
5/27/2024 Calabash-You couldn’t ask for better weather on Memorial Day. A perfect day for the beach. But the clear blue skies and warm temperatures didn’t keep a a large crowd, cheerfully dressed in red, white and blue, from gathering in the air conditioned comfort of the Calabash Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7288 in Calabash for their annual Memorial day service. Veteran’s were joined by their friends and families to commemorate Memorial Day. A time to remember those who gave their lives for our country. A time to reflect on the true cost of the freedom we often take for granted. A time to remember that for many families, every day is Memorial day because their loved ones will never return home.
The West Brunswick High School JROTC color guard posted the National colors while those gathered rose for the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the National anthem led by Post 7288 Commander Mike DiChiara. Following the opening prayer by Post Chaplain Jim Stueve, The commander made some opening remarks to welcome the crowd of over 150 people and introduced the guest speaker.
Keynote speaker, Colonel Donald Whitfield. U. S. Army (ret.), a member of the post, talked about the sacrifices made on our behalf. He shared a quote by President Theodore Roosevelt,
"It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how strong men stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have been better. The credit belongs to the man actually in the arena; who at the worst, if he fails, at least knows that he failed while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with the cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
He was referring to the combat veterans and the leaders whose commitment to our nations freedoms is not always understood or appreciated, yet undertaken with the necessary vigor to assure that freedom continues. Colonel Whitfield reminded us that the combat veteran, often young boys, are ordinary human beings, just like any of us, but what they accomplished was extraordinary. He asked us to reflect on the liberty and freedom we enjoy, more than ever before, thanks to the selfless sacrifices of the soldier. More than a million American soldiers have died in the defense of this country. Millions around the world enjoy greater freedom because of the American Soldier.
"The very least we can do is hold on to their memories.” Whitfield said. That is what the gathered are doing on this day. Freedom is not free is an oft repeated sentiment. The Colonel challenged us to walk the hallowed ground and visit a veterans cemetery. Notice every stone has a name. Every stone represents someone who was once loved. Someone whose hopes and dreams were cut short. Someone who deserves to be remembered for their sacrifice.
While we take time out of our busy holiday weekend to remember our fallen heroes he pondered the question of the surviving veterans that returned home from combat. Let us be more than determined to see to it, that no man or woman who has served is homeless, unemployed or sick. If we truly want to honor the dead, then we must help the living. It is up to us to choose leaders that will live up to their obligations to our veterans who have put their lives in harms way. They deserve it.
He closed his address with a quote from president Ronald Reagan, "Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, a veteran doesn’t have that problem."
Auxiliary president Wayne Weszka read a poem dedicated to Auxiliary members who have passed away. The VFW Auxiliary’s mission is to provide "unwavering support for uncommon heroes”. The Auxiliary Placed a wreath in remembrance of not only the fallen heroes, but their Auxiliary comrades who passed during the past year.
Chaplain Jim Stueve read the roll of those veteran members that passed during the last year while the Officer of the Day, Jay Bertha, tolled a bell in their honor. Outside, the rifle salute was fired in their honor, followed by the somber playing of Taps reminding us that for combat soldiers "all gave some, but some gave all”.
Auxiliary Chaplain, Julia Larsen, closed the ceremony with a prayer and then led the members and guests in the singing of "America the Beautiful”, punctuated by flag waving and heartfelt audience participation.
Auxiliary Chaplain, Julia Larsen, closed the ceremony with a prayer and then led the members and guests in the singing of "America the Beautiful”, punctuated by flag waving and heartfelt audience participation.
The VFW Auxiliary served hot dogs and cake to the crowd who mingled with the Vets and each other before departing to enjoy the remainder of a beautiful Memorial Day.
