Turley Publications photos by Jonathan Cook

Police Sergeant Joseph LaFlower salutes the flag at half mast.

‘Not to utter words, but to live by them’

Memorial Day ceremony honors old vets and young volunteers

By Jonathan Cook

Turley Publications Reporter

WARREN – The sun swept gathering on the town common Sunday afternoon bid thanks to those who’ve given the ultimate sacrifice.

Those who’ve served and those who are leaving for conflict in foreign lands were honored by the assembled.

State Rep. Todd Smola introduced retired vet Tom Dionne, who sat in his wheelchair next to Shanley Murphy, who will soon be deployed to Iraq. “One that has served, one that is going to serve,” said Smola.

Smola then quoted President John Kennedy’s words from a Memorial Day past. “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

Then, in his own words, Smola asked something of all who were present. “On this Memorial Day weekend, take a quick moment to think about the sacrifice that they made.”

He added, “Take the opportunity to thank them now, before it’s another year and we are memorializing them at this ceremony. We owe everything we have, we owe everything that we do, to the American veteran willing to lose their lives for all of us. May God bless their service. Because of them, we live in the greatest country on earth.”

Hampden County American Legion Commander Dan Hamre talked about the tradition of Memorial Day. He said that in 1868 the first official proclamation of Memorial Day, called Decoration Day, led to soldiers placing flags on the graves of veterans in Arlington Memorial Cemetery.

“This is our country and those we honor are our fallen heroes. No matter what your individual feelings, your political inclination, or your position on the wars we are engaged in, our service members, especially those killed in action, deserve our respect and gratitude.”

He added, “We don’t need to forgo the picnics or the family gatherings. But we have the duty to pass on the true meaning of the day.”

He then stated the names of three deceased Iraqi veterans. Two of them, Sgt. Joshua Desforges and Marine Captain John Maloney died in action. The other, U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Ecker lost his legs in Iraq and died after he came home.

Hamre asked that they be remembered during the playing of taps, “A mere 21 notes that can still the heart.”

The Quaboag Middle High School band followed with the National Anthem, and finished with stirring rendition of 21 notes.

Among the assembled was veteran Stanley Sablack, who said, “I’m getting too old to march. The legs don’t want to move.” Sablack said he enlisted in 1955, serving for three years in the 12th Engineers, 8th Division.

Robert Morin said, “I come every year. (It’s) about the biggest event they have in the town of Warren.” Morin said he was a veteran, too, even if he didn’t serve the military. “They wouldn’t take me because I was a farmer. Morin said he tried to enlist in 1956 when he was 17, but was told he was doing his duty on the farm.