By: JOSEPH KELLARD
Marino, a former commander of the village-s American Legion Post, captured the essence of Veterans Day, remembering the fallen American soldiers of past and present wars with a mix of solemnity for their defense of those values, sadness for their deaths, and pride in the bravery they displayed in battle.
We believe that our determination made us better warriors because we fought with our minds and our hearts as well as our bodies, Marino said of the soldiers who fought in America-s wars, from the Revolution to Iraq, who, he noted, set aside their civilian pursuits to serve their nation-s cause, defending the freedom of man and defending our precious American heritage.
Before some 35 people in attendance, from elementary-school kids to World War II veterans, Marino pointed out that Americans were possibly dying at that very moment in Iraq. As we stand here today, our young men and women are once again put in harm-s way in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, he said. There they are continuing our nation-s war against terrorism.
Between Veterans Day 2003 and last Thursday, the local communities and nation at large have experienced the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers fighting overseas, including 1st Lt. Ronald Winchester of the Marines, a graduate of Oceanside Middle School killed by a bomb in Al Anbar Province in Iraq in September.
What these men and women fighting over there have to face is their fellow Americans not knowing about them and what they are doing, Marino told the Herald after the brief ceremony.
As he did during his speech, Marino emphasized his belief that American forces are fighting for our right even to hold Veterans Day ceremonies, and noted that those gathered at the memorial were paying tribute to the men and women who defend the country by choice. There-s no draft, and there-s not going to be a draft, Marino stressed. They-re there because they want to be there... There-s no other place on earth that people do this.
One American Legion member in attendance, Barney Leone, a veteran of the 85th Infantry Division in World War II, never saw action overseas, but trained in various camps from Mississippi to California. My outfit took a beating in Italy, Leone said. So, when I come here today, I think of all the buddies I made in the service. I-m trying to show respect for them by coming.
Taking part in the wreath-laying ceremony, Vietnam veteran Don Schwiesow was accompanied by his 91-year-old mother, Perla, an Arizona resident and an American Legion member in Iowa. She was a nurse in Iowa during and after World War II. It-s always great seeing my mother, said Schwiesow, who took off from work to attend the ceremony, but I think it-s great that she-s here with me on this day when we remember our fallen soldiers.
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