Youngstown remembers veterans on Memorial Day

By Terry Duffy

Editor-in-Chief

Memorial Day was celebrated in a small, but meaningful way Monday morning at the 1812 Cemetery of Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown.

There were no parades, no breakfasts, but rather a community whose focus was on the primary purpose of this day: to remember and never forget. Following presentation of the colors by members of Scouting America, Youngstown Troop 829 and a performance of the national anthem by trumpeter Lou Custode, thoughts of dedication, love of country and sacrifice by the nation’s fallen in wartime were shared by the members of Youngstown VFW Lake Ontario Post 313 and community officials during this nearly hourlong program.

Scouting America Troop 829 of Youngstown posts the colors. (Photo by Wayne Peters)

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“All gave some and some gave all,” said Gary Zanardi, incoming commander of Lake Ontario VFW Post 313. “You veterans out here and the veterans standing here, we are the all (who) gave some. But on Memorial Day, we recognize the some that gave all.”

Zarardi, who served this country nearly one-half century ago in the jungles of Vietnam, went on to ask the dozen or so gathered at this event a few questions to symbolize the meaning of this day. Included were the sacrifices made by the more than the 1.3 million lives lost in the nation’s wars and conflicts from the past 250 years of its founding to present day.

“What would this world look like if there had been no USA, or soldiers willing to stand up to defend it? What would this world like? And what is the cost?” Zanardi asked.

He mentioned soldier services in distant lands; and of the contributions stateside, including of 21-year-old Elizabeth Tess, whose job as a Western Union worker in Bedford, Virginia, was to inform friends and family of the mounting losses from her small town.

“Elizabeth Tess, she was a casualty who never put on a uniform,” Zanardi said.

 “I think (her) story underlines why we’re (here) for Memorial Day,” to remember. … We owe a better gratitude, not to us up here, but the ones who never made it home.”

Incoming Post 313 Cmdr. Gary Zanardi discusses the service soldiers rendered during this nation’s many wars and conflicts.

Town of Porter Councilman Tim Adamson and Youngstown Mayor Rob Reisman, right, flanked by Post 313 members and singer Maureen Gambino.

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Post 313 attendees joined with placement of single flowers and a wreath beside the 1812 Cemetery’s memorial: red symbolizing remembrance, white representing purity, and blue, conveying life everlasting.

“We immortalize the brave deeds of our soldiers, airmen, Marines and space force warriors who have given their lives on land, sea and in the air,” Zanardi said.

Town of Porter Councilman Tim Adamason and Mayor Rob Reisman of the Village of Youngstown echoed the remarks of Zanardi and others on this day’s true purpose.

“We are here today to express our deepest gratitude to a very special group of people every time our nation is called to step forward,” Adamson said. “Our veterans stepped forward, our veterans have answered.

“Veterans know better than anyone. … Words alone can never fully repay the debt we owe you. But we can … offer them our unwavering respect, and our sincere thanks. (To) every veteran who couldn’t be with us, thank you for your selfless service, dedication and sincere sacrifice.”

Reisman offered a prayer, again to remember the sacrifices of others: “For those who sacrificed so much for our freedom, for those who paid the ultimate of death for us to be here … Heavenly Father, may we not forget,” he said.

Lew Custode plays taps. (Photo by Wayne Peters)

Maureen Gambino sings “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic.” (Photo by Wayne Peters)

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The program continued with a symbolic performance of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” sung by Youngstown’s Maureen Gambino. It concluded with remarks by Pastor Bob Hagel of Youngstown First Presbyterian Church; the playing of taps by Custode, and a performance of “America the Beautiful” by Gambino. Troop 829 members followed with a symbolic recovery of colors in honor of outgoing Post Cmdr. Ed Jackson.