Shenandoah community honors fallen heroes with Memorial Day ceremony
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SENTINEL PHOTO - Shenandoah American Legion member John Catizone and commander Bruce Popalis salute the Shenandoah veteran's memorial on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019.
By Kaylee Lindenmuth
SHENANDOAH – The annual Shenandoah Memorial Day parade and subsequent ceremony were held this morning downtown, consisting of various community organizations and drawing dozens of spectators who lined Main Street for the parade, and Washington Street for the ceremony.
The parade formed in the unit block of North Jardin Street, travelling south to Oak, east to Main, and north on Main to borough hall. The parade was led by Shenandoah Ambulance’s SUV, a color guard from the Shenandoah Combined Veterans, another from the Shenandoah Cub Scouts, followed by the Shenandoah Valley Marching Band. Tailing the band were Shenandoah’s Little Leaguers.
At the ceremony, the participating Little Leaguers and other spectators from the community gathered on West Washington Street at the Veteran’s Memorial adjacent to borough hall.
American Legion Damato Post Adjutant and Shenandoah Borough Councilman Gordon Slater spoke during the ceremony, praising the youth in attendance for their etiquette and respect for the nation, its colors, and its veterans.
”They always get the put down that they don’t do anything. Well, yesterday, I went down and watched a baseball game, and these coaches out here, they teach these kids the sports, but they also show them respect for our flag,” said Slater. “Not one of them moved. They all removed their hats. They stood there and respected the national anthem being played. I, as a veteran, and other veterans, we really appreciate that.”
Slater thanked the youth and their parents, guardians, coaches, and others who he credited for teaching them. He then spoke of the meaning of Memorial Day.
“Memorial Day is not really a holiday. People say, ‘Have a happy holiday.’ A normal response is, ‘Thank you, you too.’ A lot of times, for us veterans, it’s not a happy day,” said Slater. “We have brothers and sisters who didn’t make it home… I’ll always remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we might life in peace. I honor your courage and I will not forget that it was you who paid the ultimate price for my freedom.”
Shenandoah Mayor Andrew Szczyglak shared remarks as well, speaking of the American Legion’s recent efforts to place Hometown Hero banners in town for the second year.
”I looked at these guys and I thought, these men are now in their 60’s and 70’s, and they’re taking their time to do something… strenuous… but they still did it because they wanted to remember their fallen brothers who are no longer with us, and they wanted to keep their memory alive,” said Szczyglak. “Today, as we celebrate Memorial Day, let us, too, like our veterans who’ve never forgotten their brothers and sisters, let us not forget what the true meaning of Memorial Day is… Just remember to take a couple minutes today to remember those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
“If you have the opportunity, take a ride up into Shenandoah Heights, into the cemetery area, and you’ll see the number of graves with flags where a veteran is buried, and you’ll see how many people from this area have served our country,” said Szczyglak.
Following the remarks, American Legion member John Catizone and commander Bruce Popalis placed a wreath on the Shenandoah Veterans’ Memorial, followed by a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps, which concluded the ceremony.
About Author
