NEVER FORGOTTEN

DIANA PERRY, E. ROCHESTER

God and the soldier, all men adore In time of danger and not before When the danger is passed and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted grandparents’ grave, and I placed it with the dirt on Uncle Al’s grave. Upon return to Bu alo, I took a teaspoon of dirt from his site and placed it on my grandparents’ grave. I felt I reunited the son with his parents. Little did I know my mission was not complete!

Etched on a sentry box wall in Gibraltar, this passage o en resounded in me as I thought of my brother’s unheralded return from Vietnam in the 60s. His surprise arrival late one night brought joy a er a very long eighteen months away. It also reminded me that my mother’s family still awaited closure on their son who was listed missing in action (MIA) in WWII, then o cially declared dead. e lack of a burial, a ceremony, a closure, lingered years later. My mom o en said that her brother’s death allowed her non-English speaking immigrant parents to a ord to buy a farm outside the Bu alo area. Little did she know that their escape from memories of their neighborhood home would keep the mystery of his death.

My rst generation American-born Uncle Aloysius was a dra ed member of the Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. He was ‘lost’ in a battle in Overloon, Holland in October 1944, ten months before his namesake, my brother, would be born. For a year, Uncle Al was listed MIA, and I as a sister and mother of returned vets, can only imagine the heartache my grieving grandmother felt for her lost son.

One year ago in January 2022, I answered a ‘spam risk’ call. A woman asked if I was the daughter of Eugenia, sister of Aloysius. In the moment of my brain freeze, she explained herself as a researcher for the Human Resource Commission, Post Con ict Repatriations. Her job was to research to “account for all who did not return” and “to include or exclude information.”

A er spending a generous time on the call with me, she explained the armed forces wanted to identify my uncle’s remains. “Many human pieces” are o en found, and if they can identify some pieces they can identify all the various remains by narrowing down the options. Would I give them my spit for a DNA test?! My initial reaction was again that this was a spam call or that someone wanted my DNA for a cold case le. She suggested I talk to my family, gave me several phone numbers to verify the Army program, and le me in a state of What?!

My brother called it a scam. My immediate family said, “Go with your heart; it’s your decision.” When the young lady called back, I was still unsure, but she o ered to send me my uncle’s complete le to consider. Within days, an envelope arrived containing almost 200 pages detailing the circumstances of my uncle’s death, the search the military did to nd relatives in 1946, again in 1978, and nally his internment with a full military funeral. I learned from the le everything from his shoe size to his dental cavities to the fact that his rosary beads were by his side when he died!

When ancestry research came to the computer y years later, I entered information with the hope of nding information about my grandparents, my only certainty being that they were from an area that spoke Polish. My youth was at a time when you did not express nationality other than being ‘American.’ You didn’t want anyone to think you were foreign!

We lived about twenty miles from my mom’s family, and since my parents didn’t drive, visiting my grandparents was like visiting a foreign country. ey didn’t speak English, children didn’t ask questions, and at that time, we just tried to be as American as we could. e arrival of displaced persons from European refugee camps was not something to associate with. Not surprisingly, I found nothing related to my maternal grandparents in my research.

But out of the ancestry search came an unexpected nd: a historian for the Armored Division saw my post and reached out to ask if I was related to Aloysius Gonsowski of Bu alo, NY, and from him I found where my uncle was buried – in Belgium. I promised my mom I would one day visit his gravesite.

My daughter works in Europe, and during visits to see her and vacation capitals, I nally got to Belgium to see the grave. I knew that he was interred at the Ardennes American Military Cemetery, and on a picturesque June day in 2017, my family stood in awe at the site’s magni cence. Like the US’ Arlington National Cemetery in DC, the grounds at Ardennes are an immaculate, serene tribute to those who gave everything. I had brought with me a teaspoon of dirt from my

Evidently, in 1978, a townsman looking in a well-known battle area for war relics came across a shallow grave with two skeletons and a set of dog tags, one engraved with my uncle’s name. Again, the military tried to nd relatives and when they were unsuccessful, Uncle Al was given a full military burial in Ardennes. e le included the pictures and write-up from the Stars and Stripes paper! An amazing, beautiful closure for a soldier never forgotten by the military. How could I not give my DNA? It will be kept in a database so that if body parts are found in the battle area, they can include/exclude possible servicemen. Uncle Al gave so much; how could I not?

I wish the technology had been available sooner so my grandparents, my mom, and her siblings, could have had the closure I received knowing all the circumstances of the death of this WWII tank hero, a young man adored by his family and never forgotten or slighted by his country.

Defensive Driving Tips

(NAPSI)—These five tips can help you be prepared for the perils of the road.

1. Know Your Car. Like people, each car has a unique personality. Some features work better than others, and conditions can cause a vehicle to react a certain way. Knowing your car’s limits and behavior patterns can help you predict how it will respond in certain situations. How long does it take you to stop and how much pressure is required on the brake pedal? What’s your turn radius? Does your vehicle lean when you round a corner? Does it quake when you hit a certain speed? Knowing the answers can help you avoid accidents.

2. Use Extreme Caution During a Lane Change. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that one of the most common causes of two-lane auto accidents is unsafe lane changes.

3. Know Your Blind Spots. Most cars have at least one line of vision that’s not clearly evident in the rearview or side mirrors. Even carefully placed mirrors often cannot cover every possible angle. Move the side mirrors far outward so that the angle of view barely overlaps the view of the rearview mirror.

4. Keep Your Hands on the Wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration now advocates keeping your hands at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions instead of 10 and 2 because of air bags.

5. Keep Up on Maintenance. Routine work on your auto, like oil changes, fluid refills and tire rotations, can make all the difference in your car’s drivability.

Learn More: For further facts and tips about good driving from the experts at Driving-Tests, founded on the universal belief that everyone can be a safe driver, go to https://driving-tests.org. There, budding drivers can also learn how to pass the written test the first time.

Custom Monuments.

60+ colors to choose from.

Cremation memorials, mausoleums, cemetery lettering, monument cleanings. All monuments & etchings done at Albion location.

Oakley Monument Company

604 East Main Street, Batavia

Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 9-12 • 585-343-0022

STEPS INVOLVED WITH ESTATE PLANNING

A will is an important component of estate planning. Without clearly and legally spelling out your wishes, there is no guarantee that those wishes will be honored. It will be up to a state or province to make potentially lifealtering decisions that can impact your surviving family members, and the only way to ensure your wishes will be carried out is to put them into a will. Although men and women can write their own wills, many people prefer to seek the assistance of an attorney, who can make sure all necessary details are included in the will.

Notice of Vacancy Health Careers Academy Teacher

Quali cations:

• NYS Certi cation in Practical Nursing OR Bachelor’s degree in Nursing with 1 year of experience OR Associate’s degree in Nursing with 2 years of experience

• RN License preferred

• Master’s degree in Health/Science Industry preferred

Location:

• Batavia CTE

Salary:

• Based on experience, with bene ts

Starting date:

• ASAP

Visit our website at www.gvboces.org

Reply by April 3, 2023 with reference to Vacancy 23-113, letter of interest, resume and proof of certi cations to hr@gvboces.org or mail to: Human Resources, Genesee Valley BOCES 80 Munson Street, LeRoy, NY 14482

Health Homes Care Coordinator

Perform outreach & enrollment activities to assist in the community understanding of the benefits of a Health Home in the Batavia area.

Coordinate services to decrease high risk health costs for individuals being served in Health Homes. Bachelor’s degree and experience in mental health systems required.

PT opportunities also available. Cover letter and resume required to: WNYIL, Inc 3108 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214 employment@wnyil.org

Class A CDL Driver With Tanker Endorsement

For transport work as well as milk truck driver. Several positions are open for motivated individuals. Competitive pay with benefits.

Please send letter of interest to rdrowcliffe@yahoo.com or call 1-716-474-1548 to schedule an interview.

Premier Genesee

CENTER FOR NURSING AND REHABILITATION

At Premier Genesee, we are rooted in providing many selections of services that promote the most ideal options. Each individual receives personalized care tailored to meet their speci c needs.

Our valued adage that we hold dear is “Quality Care Means Everything.” Premier Genesee is dedicated to creating a sensitive, nurturing and comfortable home environment for each resident. Looking for a full-time, experienced

RN Unit Manager

to manage a 40 bed unit. Current license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the State of New York.

Bene ts:

• Competitive salaried pay

• Health, Dental and Vision insurance

• 401K

• Sign-on Bonus

Apply: Premier Genesee Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation

278 Bank St, Batavia, NY 14020 or email: DON@premiergenesee.com

What It Takes To Be A Team Player

Happily shares the spotlight: Never the glory hog, a team player is content to stand in the spotlight alongside coworkers. Team players make sure everyone is involved and recognized equally, and even take their share of the blame when things go awry.

Now Hiring Experienced Auto Tech

Timebuyer Auto Sales • Batavia, NY

• Diagnose & Repair used autos

• Min. 3-5 Years Exper. Preferred

• Positive Attitude; Excellent Work Ethic

• Valid NYS Driver’s License

NYS Insp. License Is NOT Required

WE OFFER: Competitive hourly wage – NO FLAT RATE! Full-Time, M-F • NO WEEKENDS! Bonuses, Medical/Dental/Vision Ins., 401k Plan, Paid sick/vac/holidays –Uniforms & tools provided.

EMAIL YOUR RESUME TODAY mbuda@timebuyer.com

OR stop by 244-248 W. Main St.; Batavia, NY

We have openings for:

PAVER Operator ROLLER Operator LABORER CDL Driver

(will include some labor)

BRUNNER INTERNATIONAL INC. Production Openings

2nd & 3rd Shift

Machine Operators: Riveter, Welder, Lathe, Press

Entry-Level Production: Stackers, Hangers, Heat Treat

QA Technician & Material Handler: 3rd shift

Skilled Trade Openings:

Maintenance Mechanics

Industrial Electricians

Millwright/Press Mechanics

Monthly bonuses awarded for Safety & Attendance!

PLUS! Paid vacation awarded throughout your first year of employment!

Full Benefits at 75 Days including Health/Dental/401k plans

For Job Descriptions

& to Apply Online Visit: brunnerinc.com/CareerOpportunities

Submit resumes to: HR@brunnerinc.com OR Apply

About Returning To School

Adults who hope to return to school might be surprised to learn that the educational landscape has changed considerably since they were last in a classroom. College students are no longer just young men and women who begin pursuing degrees right out of high school. In fact, the number of adults returning to the classroom has increased considerably, often making younger students the exception rather than the rule, says the college financial planner Straighter Line. According to the U.S. Department of Education, college students 25 years or older comprise 40 percent of all students enrolled in college. Adults who are thinking about returning to school are urged to fill out the free applications for student aid to see if they qualify. Grants and scholarships may be available, and some workers find that employers may match funds or offer some assistance to finance job training courses.

Many schools now offer online courses that make it easier for working adults to pursue their degrees.

Many working adults are returning to school to pursue new or advanced degrees, as more colleges and universities are facilitating such pursuits.

Attica Bus Service

Conserve Energy Around The Office

Allow employees to telecommute. Based on an analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2005-2014 American Community Survey conducted by GlobalWorkplaceAnalytics.com, a typical business would save $11,000 per person per year if it allowed its employees to work from home just half the time. Those cost-savings can be traced to numerous factors, and lower utility costs in the office as well as the need for less office space are among them.