Memorial Day

Their Legacy Lives On

A walk through Arlington National Cemetery

TOM LAUB Lifestyles editor tlaub@lewistownsentinel.com

ARLINGTON, Va. — Memorial Day. A day to honor

made to preserve freedom. There are thousands who for our country. Those who gave the “full measure of devotion” to ensure our freedom survives. The monuments, memorials and cemeteries honor their glory on Memorial

Day and everyday. Included among these sites is Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

I visited Arlington when I was very young. It was a hot day in the summer of 1967. I knew where I was, but the impact and meaning did not completely register.

My next visit was 35 years

year after the terrorist attacks

year after another generation’s “Day of Infamy.” The world had changed. America was

at war. This time, as I walked through the cemetery, the impact and meaning registered. I was gripped by the solemnity, the quiet dignity and respect bestowed on those whose names I did not know buttory. -

veterans, including some who fought in the Civil War. There is history to be remembered. From marked graves to the the peace and solitude perme-

ating throughout Arlington is broken only by the thought of the last battle when there was anything but solitude.

On Memorial Day, we recognize all who gave their lives for our country. Be it in a national cemetery or a small town grave on a shady hill, all are honored. There are parades and prayers and special services dedicated to the sacriinto the collective memory of a free nation, simply because freedom is not free.

On the Cover: The Brown Township

Veteran’s Memorial is located in the middle of Church Hill Cemetary in Brown Township, just up the hill from Reedsville.

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

We Honor Those Who serve Our Country

PAST PRESENT & FUTURE

Deadliest Kamikaze attack of WW II claimed Lewistown Navy Pilot

BY CHRIS MOYER

Stories Behind the Stars Special to the Lewistown Sentinel

OKINAWA — As the tide of World War II turned increasingly against the Empire of Japan, it resorted to the desperate tactic of suicide bombers. squadrons occurred on Oct. 25, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf off the Philippines. -

American, Australian and Britships and damaging 368 others. U.S. commanders were so-

pounds and was single.

end of the month.

World War II occurred on Maywa. The aircraft carrier USS the deaths of 396 sailors and airmen, including 43 missing of Lewistown was one of those who perished.

Lancaster, in January 1943

ater of Operations as a quali--

was commissioned on May 25, -

against Rabaul, the Gibert Is-

Archipelago, the Marshall IsBattle of the Philippine Sea,

stone State, relocated the family to Lewistown by the timebrother William, and youngerhousehold in management positions with the insurance and registered for the draft on

where he was cited for out16, 1944 and reported to the

tactical missions off Guam, Saipan and Tinian. The squad-

Iwo Jima on four missions

Wolf Gang completed four March. The highlight of thebattleship Yamato, the largest battleship in history. At least nine torpedo hits were scoredWhile supporting the Allied morning of May 11, 1945, USSonds later, the second suicide carrier’s superstructure and penetrated to the pilots’ ready room.

See Pilot / Page 6

Stories Behind the Stars

ENS William H. Foucart.

Stories Behind the Stars

Pilot

Continued from Page 5

Foucart was killed in action on May 11, 1945 during the kamikaze attack on the USS Bunker Hill. The losses were the second worst to be suffered by any aircraft carrier to survive the war. Foucart’s Torpedo Squadron 84 lost 10 pilots, 16 crew and 15 planes.

Foucart was buried at sea on May 12, 1945. He was memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pa-

A cenotaph in his honor was placed at Muncy Cemetery, Muncy, PA. ENS Foucart posthumously received the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Gold Stars and the Air Medal with three Gold Stars.

This article was prepared for the Lewistown Sentinel by Stories Behind the Stars. Thefallen Americans from World Kathy Harmon at kharmon@ visit www.storiesbehindthestars.

Stories Behind the Stars

Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

Photos courtesy of Stories Behind the Stars

USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) at sea in 1945 (above). USS Bunker Hill after being hit by two Kamikazes on May 11, 1945 at Okinawa (above right).

The African American Memorial Cemetery: A heritage of courage

TOM LAUB Lifestyles editor tlaub@lewistownsentinel.com

LEWISTOWN — Memorial Day is a time for solemn remembrances. Across theor the memories of those who our nation. ceremonies, a small and humWar.

The African American Me-

most of his life in Lewistown.

their contribution to the war effort and their country is not

Efforts are underway toto include a metal archway at the cemetery entrance. The archway is currently under construction by students at

of our African

Thomas, 8th United States

restoration

Sentinel photos by TOM LAUB

The African American Memorial Cemetery on Juniata Street in Lewistown. See Courage / Page 10

Continued from Page 8

American Memorial Cemetery with an understanding of its unique value as an important part of our local history,” Rhonda S. Kelley, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said. “Throughout the era represented in this cemetery, African Americans faced great challenges in securing burial grounds. The fact that this one was established here and has endured over the years, holds

as a tangible connection to our past while preserving the memory of those laid to rest here.”

Physical improvements aside, there is also the preservation of history.

“The presence of African

American Civil War veterans buried here adds another layer of importance,” Kelley added. “These men fought bravely for what they believed in, freedom and equality. We are fortunate enough to have some of their stories and plan to incorporate them into signage within the cemetery. We want their memories to live on. Our goal is to not only revitalize the physical space, but also the spirit of our community, reminding us of our heritage.”

A heritage of courage remembered on Memorial Day.

NOTE: Original research material provided by Shippensburg University - Dr. Steven Burg, PhD, Professor of History’s students (HIS 319: Intro to Public History, Fall 2021).

Sentinel photos by TOM LAUB

The African American Memorial Cemetery on Juniata Street in Lewistown.

Decoration Day: Remembering those who sacrificed to protect our liberties

BY JOSEPH WALK Special to the Sentinel

Last year, I visited Fairview and Spring Hope cemeteries in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. As I walked past headstones, I noticed well-known Blair County surnames. We lived in Martinsburg for several years and my mother grew up in the area, so I recognized common names of Morrisons Cove. I decorating graves of military members. As I walked from each brave soul who served our nation. Familiar names: “Smith,” “Brumbaugh,” “Ake,” “Nicodemus,” “Miller,” “Dick,” “Rearick.” I froze when I happened upon Dor-

othy Greenleaf Gill, a WWII nurse. “Yes. Of course,” I muttered to myself. “Women also served.” More common names emerged as I continued

“Burket,” “Burkett,” “Ferry,” “Bridenbaugh,” “Delozier,” “Frye,” “Mock,” “Hileman,”

I was drawn to older sections of each cemetery where Revolutionary War veterans were laid to eternal rest. Even-

from the Revolution through Desert Storm. The War of 1812. The Indian Wars. The Mexican-American War. The Civil War. The Spanish-American War. The World War (WWI). World War II. Korea. Vietnam. The Persian Gulf

War.

Veterans Day in November honors the living, but Memorial Day honors those who have gone before us. We reto protect our liberties. In the United States, you worship as you please. You can voice opinions that differ from those around you and if you “freely assemble” or exercise your right to bear arms, you should be thankful for military members who were willing to die for these liberties. You are reading this article in the free press, unencumbered by government interference. We enjoy freedoms, rights and privileges that most of the planet does not.

The history of Memorial

Day varies depending on who you ask. Boalsburg claims to have begun the tradition when, in 1864 during the Civil War, three local women decorated graves of Union soldiers. Other communities also claim theyen. Among them are Charlestown, South Carolina; Waterloo, New York and Columbus, Mississippi, plus several other towns both north and south of the Mason-Dixon Line.

But “Decoration Day” really began when Union General John Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a proclamation in 1868 that an annual day of decoration be observed na-

See Liberties / Page 13

Liberties

Continued from Page 12

tionwide. He suggested decorating graves of the fallen withtime.” Our 17th President, Andrew Johnson, consequently directed those in executive

cemeteries in southern Blair

ly, in 1968 another President Johnson, our 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed the as a Federal holiday.

ans of all wars, not just service

dedicated to the soldiers lying noticed us, although one elderlistened, then continued with her daily chores.the day’s meaning. Honor and admire, just for a moment, the••• -

AP Photo

A U.S. guard on duty marches in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. on Oct. 20, 1945.

Wreaths Across America: Remembering Sacrifice

Wreaths Across America

Morrill Worcester of Harrington, Maine, was a 12-yearold paperboy when he won a trip to Washington, D.C. He

to our nation’s capital, and Arlington National Cemetery made an indelible impression on him. This experience followed him throughout his life and successful career as a wreath maker, reminding him that his good fortune was due, in large part, to the values of this nation and the veterans who made the ultimate sacri-

In 1992, Mr. Worcester had a surplus of wreaths nearing the end of the holiday season. Remembering his boyhood experience at Arlington, Worcester realized he had an opportunity to honor our country’s veterans. With the aid of former Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the wreaths to be placed at Arlington in one of the older sections of the cemetery that had been receiving fewer visitors with each passing year.

Several other individuals

and organizations stepped up to help as plans were underway. Blue Bird Ranch, Inc. generously provided transportation to Virginia. Volunteers from the local American Legion and V.F.W. Posts gathered with community members to adorn each wreath with traditional red, hand-tied bows. Members of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., helped to organize the wreath laying, which included a special ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The annual tribute went on quietly until 2005, when a photo of the stones at Arlington, adorned with wreaths and covered in snow, circulated the web. Suddenly, the project received national attention. Thousands of requests poured in from people wanting to help with Arlington, to emulate the Arlington project at their National and State cemeteries, or to share their stories and thank Worcester for honoring our nation’s heroes.

Unable to donate thousands of wreaths to each state, Worcester sent seven wreaths to every state, one for each military branch and one for

P.O.W./M.I.A. In 2006, with the help of the Civil Air Patrol and other civic organizations, simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies were held at over 150 locations nationwide.

In 2007, the Worcester family, along with veterans and other groups and individuals who had helped with their annual veterans wreath ceremony in Arlington, formed Wreaths

501c (3) organization, to continue and expand this effort, and support other groups around the country who wanted to do the same. The yearlong mission of the organization is simple: “Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.”

In 2023, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers placed over 3 million veterans’ wreaths at 4,225 participating locations in the United States and beyond. This feat was accomplished with help from three million plus volunteers across the country, a third of whom were children.

National Wreaths Across America Day will be held this

year on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024.

Wreaths Across America would not be possible without the help of volunteers, active organizations, and the generosity of the transportation industry, which offer invaluable support to WAA’s mission.

The local group called “We Salute You - Wreaths Across America” has been function-

2019. Its mission is to remember those veterans who are interned in all cemeteries in and teach others. Over the able to complete the wreath laying at four cemeteries. They not only place wreaths during the National Wreaths Across America Day. They also remember those who gave their lives during war times, by participating in the Moment of Silence held Memorial Day at Monument Square in Downtown Lewistown . You are invited to join them this Memorial Day for a brief ceremony starting at 3 p.m. to remember and honor those who gave thetry and our freedom.

Memorial Day Ceremony

Downtown Lewistown Moment of Remembrance — Monday, May 27 at the Historic Courthouse, Monument Square, Lewistown. Kickoff at 2:55 p.m. National Moment of Remembrance, wreath laying, taps and gun salute begin at 3 p.m. Children’s patriotic craft activities (sponsored by local businesses) will be available. Come out to honor and remember.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Avery Carlin, of Arlington, Va., rests by the headstone of her uncle U.S. Army Cpl. Michael Avery Pursel as she visits Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery with her family on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023, in Arlington, Va.