By Rebecca Shalomoff
World War II Marine Corps Veteran Jack Buckley of Atlantic Beach was 18 years old when he fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima and was shot in the chest.
Sergeant George Rebel, commander of the 4th Division, came towards Mr. Buckley, who despite being severely wounded, yelled for his sergeant to "get down." But it was too late. Sergeant Rebel was shot and killed instantly, falling on top of Mr. Buckley. The two men's bodies - a corpse concealing a body still struggling for life - lay still for over an hour before a soldier realized that Mr. Buckley was still alive. He was a few days away from turning 19 years old.
"I was a young boy then. We were passionately in love with our country and we wanted to defend it," he said.
The chaotic experience of war is only to be understood fully by those who live it, but commemorating it, and particularly the veteran troops involved, is open to everyone.
Veterans' Day, the upcoming national day of veteran commemoration beginning in 1918 after World War I, is an opportunity to mourn the tragedies that befell American troops and their families, while celebrating the courageous human efforts demonstrated during the 20th century wars. This year, Veterans' Day falls on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Mr. Buckley, a 20-year Atlantic Beach resident, belongs to the Survivor's of Iwo Jima Association, and shows his support of fellow veterans through attending Marines' dinners, dances and participating in parades.
But he is disheartened by the public response towards Veterans' Day. "I don't think the people respond properly. They seem to enjoy more going to the Yankee victory parade, instead of the Veterans' Day parade honoring men and women who gave their lives for the country."
Sal Scotto, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars - Post 1582 and long-time Inwood resident, will join others to honor Veterans' Day, the 11th day of the 11th month, at a monument service held at the 11th hour in front of the post on Doughty Boulevard, Inwood.
Mr. Scotto was trained as a medic stationed at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) from 1951-1952 during the Korean War. He handled emergency calls until wounded soldiers could get to a hospital.
Mr. Scotto was commander of the VFW from 1972-1973, and again in 2000-2001. He says he would like to see more membership in the club for solidarity and to inform others about available privileges and benefits for veterans.
In addition, he said that he would like to see more participation by the public in honoring veterans. "I don't feel that people participate enough. There is sparse attendance at parades; people shy away."
Mayor Andrew Parise of Cedarhurst commemorates Veterans' Day by reflecting on the memory of those who sacrificed their lives, those who were lucky to survive, like himself, and on his experiences during WWII.
Mayor Parise, weeks after graduating from Lawrence High School, served in the 87th Infantry Division, fighting battles in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Czechoslovakia from 1943-1945. His division fought in the Battle of the Bulge, the biggest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army. It lasted 40 days with 8,000 American casualties and 100,000 German casualties.
The 87th division served 154 consecutive days of front line action without relief, 345 miles in combat, and were instrumental in liberating the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.
"It was real," Mayor Parise remembers. "[I saw] ovens for burning human remains and torture chambers. Open ditches with remains of countless bodies."
Mayor Parise was awarded a purple heart medal for wounds on the back of his leg received against the enemy on May 7, 1945, in the final attack against the Soviet Forces near the Czech border.
He said that the appropriate way of celebrating Veterans' Day is a personalized experience. To visit cemeteries of those who lost their lives, to take care of living veterans, or simply, just to think about it.
