Memorial Day is a day to honor the fallen and older men and women seem to dominate the makeup of those who attend Memorial Day ceremonies.
But it did Richton Park Retired Chief Petty Officer Robert J. Welch’s heart good to see the Principe family of Mercy, 9, Levi, 7, Lukas, 5, Joy, 4, and Hudson, 1, sitting in the front row Monday. Welch spoke at the 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony at General Patrick E. Rea Veterans Plaza in Tinley Park with the children listening to what he had to say.
Welch, a heavily decorated veteran who serves with many veterans groups and is a engineering equipment manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said younger people need to be involved and understand the meaning of Memorial Day.
“Memorial Day is not just another holiday,” Welch said. “We need to pass along our knowledge to the next generation so that they may do the same. We must ensure that the youth of tomorrow understands the true cost of freedom.”
Aside from the Principe family of Tinley Park, there was a smattering of youth among the several hundred in attendance.
But there were also a pair of young essay winners who shared their wisdom.
Emma Dix of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School in Orland Hills, read from her Patriots Pen essay, that centered on the pride she feels living in the United States thanks to those who fought and died for the country.
“Our great country, America, inspires me because of its freedom, rich history, natural beauty and people who make up this wonderful nation that I call my home” she said.
“As I get older, I obtain great responsibilities that are my duties as a citizen to fulfill.”
Dix said she is looking forward to the day when she can vote and have a say in the world that is around her.
“In some countries, people don’t have these liberties,” Dix said.
Tinley Park High School junior Benjamin James also hit hard on the right to vote in his Voice of Democracy essay.
James is involved with tennis, golf, mathletes, scholastic bowl, chess, the National Honor Society, the marching band, the symphonic band and jazz band.
He also runs a lawn care business and is a lifeguard.
“The right to vote for elected officials is the foundation of American democracy and is considered one of the most essential attributes of the United States political system,” he said.
“Since the establishment of the United States of America, the right to vote of elected officials has been very prevalent.”
Sofia Barrios, of St. George School, also was a Patriots Pen essay winner but couldn’t attend the ceremony.
The ceremony also featured comments from Veteran Commission Chairman William Douglas Rasmussen III and Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz.
There was a battlefield cross ceremony, a flag ceremony, the playing of taps, the presentation of a wreath in memory of all fallen veterans and music provided by the Tinley Park Community Bank. Mandy Barry sang the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The 2024 veteran banner honorees were named. They will have their photos on light posts in the community.
They are Daniel Bachara, Louis Bachara, James Black, Michael Bubacz, Kevin Clarke, John Domina, Thomas Dukes, Eddie Durham, Savio Gonsalves, Timothy Keating and Kryi Kirk.
Also honored were Peter Laurinaltis, Robert Allen McAllister, Richard Miller, Gerald Nichols, Edward James Novak, Gerald Petrow, W. Douglas Rasmussen III, Anthony Sorrentino, Edward Stolinski, John Turas and John Wegrzyn.
Welch emphasized that those who lost their lives should never be forgotten.
“Generation after generation has been fortunate enough to reap the benefits paid for by those who believe that freedom is worth fighting for and, if necessary, dying for,” he said.
Hudson Principe, 1, of Tinley Park waves his flag at Monday’s Tinley Park Memorial Day Ceremony. (Jeff Vorva/for Daily Southtown)
“In cemeteries across American and around the world today, people will pause to spread flowers on the graves of those lost in war. But today should not be about sorrow.”
He said what it should be about is a phrase Gen. George Patton used in 1944, when he said that “We should thank God that such men lived.”
“That is what this very special day is all about, being thankful that such brave men and women have lived,” Welch said.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown
