Remembering those who served

BY PAT FARNELLI
Correspondent

Young and old gathered to remember and honor service members Monday at the Memorial Day observance on the Monument Green in Montrose.

Before the stone Veterans Memorial, Pastor Bob Kadlecek of Bridgewater Church gave the invocation: “Help us to never forget their sacrifices, the sacrifices of the fallen. Let us live to be worthy of the legacy they have left us, so that on the last day we may hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

In his benediction, Kadlecek urged those in attendance to pay tribute to American heroes, recognizing their bravery and sacrificial service, and pray for peace for their families. He also asked God for blessing, guidance, and wisdom for America, to understand the times, and to remember those who come home with memories, scars, and disabilities.

Representatives of the veterans organizations, such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Susquehanna County Department of Veterans Affairs repeated their wish for the veterans
who are no longer with us: that their service not be forgotten.

Wreaths were presented by these organizations as well as the Susquehanna County Commissioners, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Montrose Borough, Warren Lodge 240, The Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary Clubs, United Fire Company, and other groups.

Keynote speaker, Lt. Col. – Retired, 101st Airborne, U.S. Army Nicholas Salamone said that he wanted to speak on why we are an exceptional nation. He mused on why he was asked to speak and supposed that it was because he was old and spent 29 years in the service.

“I was surprised to be asked, because I’m from Philly, and I keep a low profile,” he said.

He said that his father, one of 11 children, volunteered for service in Viet Nam, but his uncle, a sergeant, died in action. His uncle was never forgotten, and childhood Memorial Days were spent honoring this family member’s service.

Salamone referred to a French soldier writing about the U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan, he quoted from the writer: “The Americans charge. That’s who they are,” the French soldier wrote. “They are worthy of the soldiers that liberated France. These are the greatest generation of soldiers that America has produced.”

As one of the veterans who laid a wreath for the fallen quoted General George S. Patton: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”