An honor guard from the West Brunswick High School ROTC posted the colors to begin the ceremony. These young people wore their uniforms proudly and paraded the flag with conviction giving onlookers the pride and confidence that there are those in the younger generation ready to carry on America’s proud military traditions.
Memorial day is a sacred day to all veterans of war, their friends and family. They need no reminders of why we must commemorate the fallen hero’s. When your parent, child or sibling never returns, that empty seat will never be forgotten, but what about the rest of us? Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of this day? Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance, which is why the citizens of a free nation need to pause and remember the sacrifices of our countrymen and woman who died on our behalf. Our freedoms were paid for with the lives of fellow citizens we never knew, but should never forget. That is why this day of remembrance is important.
Memorial day has become synonymous with the start of summer. Memorial day sales, backyard barbecues, pools opening for the season, visits to the beach, spending time with your family and friends, and enjoying the pleasant outdoor weather. We often forget who gave us that freedom. Auxiliary President Wayne Wezska thanked the attendees for taking time out of their busy weekend to attend the ceremony and honor the fallen Veterans. The VFW Auxiliary’s mission to provide "unwavering support for uncommon heroes”.
Wezska honored deceased Auxiliary members with a memorial wreath and a somber reading of their names. This was followed by the Commander, Mike DiChiara, who read the role of post 7288 veterans who passed during the last year, punctuated by the tolling of a bell for each name. After the presentation of a wreath, a rifle salute was fired, followed by Taps.