Region pauses to reflect on Memorial Day
Published: May 26, 2009
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Before Jerry Auriemma visited his wife's grave at Cathedral Cemetery, he visited the grave of a stranger, a veteran.
One of a team of volunteer veterans who maintains grave markers and places a flag at the burial sites, Mr. Auriemma learned a grave had been missed.
So he found himself on his knees before the flat granite gravestone of World War I veteran Arthur J. Boland, on Memorial Day afternoon to make it official.
"The grass was all grown over here, so you couldn't see he was a vet," Mr. Auriemma said. Without ceremony or pomp, but with duty, he traced the chiseled characters to the last "1-9-5-8." Near the granite stone he put a flag saved for the Memorial Day service at Nay Aug Park. He put his tools back in his van and went off to his wife's resting place.
His quiet, solitary work was a contrast to the events held around the region Monday that included parades, 21-gun salutes, solemn performances of taps and speeches under the warm sun, such as the one organized by VFW Post 25 and the city of Scranton at Nay Aug Park.
In the memorial address, Lt. Col. Dale E. Pepper of Carbondale described the dual natures of those in the military. They cherish peace, so they become warriors. They appreciate freedom, so they surrender some of theirs. They value life, yet are willing to die. They love their country, and they leave it to fight overseas.
Two high school essayists received awards. Tom Copland of Scranton High School read his essay about apathy and lack of civic engagement among youth.
Matt McQuigan, a Northeast Intermediate Unit student, spoke about the contributions of the armed forces, highlighting Gino Merli, World War II Medal of Honor recipient from Peckville.
Desert Storm veteran Gina Svoboda was among attendees. She has seen more people and more sincerity at Memorial Day commemorations as members of the armed force continue their fight overseas.
"When people see what is continuing to happen in Afghanistan and Iraq, Memorial Day becomes more than a barbecue and a day off," she said. Denise Murphy brought her four children to the commemoration. They jumped on the grass and waved their flags after the service ended.
"I want them to know that people fought hard for them and died for them," she said. "This is a day to be thankful and proud."
Beneath the trees and chirping birds at Cathedral Cemetery, Robert Geary brushes off the stone marking the burial place of his brother, Thomas P. Geary, an Army veteran who died at age 70 three years ago. The brass and stone marker looks as good as it did in 2006 when he was interred. The Geary men, all five of them, joined the military, prompted by the oldest who joined the Navy at the age of 17. Bob Geary is the last survivor, and looks after his brothers' graves.
Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com
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