Facts about Memorial Day 2011
The kinship Peter Puhalla shares with the late uncle he never knew runs deeper than family – a connection born of blood certainly but in a very real sense nurtured there, too.
In blood and in sacrifice.
Frank A. Puhalla was a 23-year-old Army private, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division serving in World War II, when he was killed in action in North Africa on September 17, 1943, four years before his nephew’s birth.
Last week, as Mister Puhalla and other volunteers from Throop American Legion Herbert Clark Post 180 placed fresh American flags on the graves of 488 veterans at four cemeteries in the borough, the 64-year-old Air Force veteran paused at his uncle’s marker and reflected on ties that bind them all.
“Even though I never met him, I feel that I knew him” – said Mr. Puhalla, the Post 180 commander who spent 12 months in Vietnam from 1967 into 1968. “Once a veteran, always a veteran. You can ask anyone. Once you serve, that’s it – you’re brothers.”
Today (on Memorial Day) Northeast Pennsylvania will honor those who have died in service to the nation with parades and solemn services, with patriotic music and quiet moments of reflection in cemeteries where soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines lie in graves adorned with crisp flags.
But on the day set aside for all Americans to remember the fallen, the inescapable fact is living veterans – almost invariably and probably naturally – are the ones who have voluntarily taken on the task of keeping alive the memory of the dead locally.
- Memorial Day 2011.
It is fitting and proper that we should publically remember and honor the service and sacrifice of our fallen military men and women on Memorial Day. My grandparents referred to Memorial Day by its original name, Decoration Day.
‘Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, – the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.’ General John A. Logan, General Order No. 11, May 5, 1868, Decoration Day.
Today our brave men and women are working with our Allies to achieve real peace in the World, a peace that can only come with the defeat of evil people.
There are two distinct views of peace. One follows military action and the defeat of the forces of Evil. The other follows surrender and disarmament. The first results in freedom and the second in slavery and serfdom. We must continue to choose victory. Defeat is not an option.
Our warriors come from our farms, villages, and cities. They serve in our military, their job is to protect us and to eliminate our enemies and their weapons. We know them and their families. We hear of their successes and their pride. We sob with their families and friends and mourn them when they make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Many of us have lost family and friends in the wars of our nation. Many of us have served. Some of us have seen the ravages of wars up close and very personal.
Five Things about Memorial Day 2011.
1 – Unofficial Welcome of Summer!. This Memorial Day expects glorious weather, with a high near 90 and mostly sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service. Tonight, temperatures drop to a warm 70 and some cloud coverage rolls in. Get outside today and enjoy the beautiful, summer weather! First, read the advice of Manalapan Patch’s blogger, Lauren Baldwin, on protecting your children from harmful UV rays.
2 – Englishtown Memorial Day Parade. The Memorial Day Parade in Englishtown kicks off at 2 p.m. at the corner of Tennant Avenue and Main Street. Be sure to get there early to get a spot!
3 – Historic Village Inn opens. “The cornerstone of Englishtown’s History” – the Village Inn, will be open today from noon to 5 p.m. Entry donation costs 2 dollars, children 12-years-old and under are free. All funds go towards the restoration of the landmark.
4 – Garbage Pickup. There will be normal garbage collection in Manalapan Township today. Garbage and recycling should be placed at the curb.
5 – Closed for the day. All government offices, Manalapan Township, Borough of Englishtown, and Monmouth County government offices are closed and the Manalapan Senior Center is closed in observance of Memorial Day. Freehold Regional High School District and Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District students are off from school. The Monmouth County Library is closed. No mail will be picked up or delivered today.