Honoring those who gave up lives to serve during Memorial Day 2023

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Area communities paid their respects to those who lost their lives while fighting for their freedom during Memorial Day services Monday, May 30.

Understanding the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, Miss New Buffalo Amelia Selir said, is important.

“Memorial Day is to honor our fallen veterans…The primary meaning behind Memorial Day is to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces,” Selir, who spoke at Pine Grove Cemetery in New Buffalo, said.

The day means a lot to her, as her grandmother and grandfather met while serving in the Armed Forces and her father’s uncle served in the Marines as a Korean War veteran.

Mr. New Buffalo Angelo Ciccarelli said three of his great grandfathers served during World War II.

Like James Patrick White, an army field combat medic in Europe, Ciccarelli is on a journey to becoming an EMT as well as a medic.

“We remember all people who died and served because even though it’s been a long time since World War II, it has a large effect on our future and as we move on today,” he said.

Even before he began his time serving as a medical doctor in the army during the Vietnam War, Dr. Lee Strohl said he knew he was entering into the unknown. Medical doctors weren’t present in the Cost Guard or the Air Force, as those were taken care of by the Navy doctors. When doctors were taken into the service, they didn’t know which branch they were going to be in - that was up to the Pentagon, Strohl said at Pine Grove Cemetery.

“When we flew up outside of California up to Vietnam, none of the doctors had any idea where they were going to be stationed,” he said, adding that they knew where they were going to be stationed only until they arrived in the battleground - Vietnam.

The medical doctors’ time of service – such as if they’d be in for two or three yearswas also an unknown, as that was up to their command. Something that’s certain though, is the role that those who serve their country play in the freedoms that are enjoyed in this country today.

“All of the veterans who have served and protected their relatives and their families understand the importance of their help for all - without them, we would have very little hope for protection and safety,” he said.