Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
A DAY TO REMEMBER
Kendal—Crosslands residents share their thoughts about Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day and while for some, it signifies the unofficial start of the summer season, for others, it is remembering those who served and their families and here residents of Kendal—Crosslands Communities, a continuing care retirement community located in Kennett Square, share their thoughts about what this day means to them.
Edward Stemmer
I served in the United States Army. I was drafted in April 1951 and sent for Infantry training at Fort Jackson South Carolina. After completing that training I was assigned to a Chemical Intelligence Detachment and subsequently sent with my unit to Korea arriving in December 1951. Our unit was assigned principally to interrogate captured prisoners. Those of us who served in Korea can’t help but reflect on the fact that the Korean War is basically a forgotten war. Nonetheless, some 54,246 Americans died there and the United States sustained over 128,000 casualties. After my return home, and many years later, I was invited by my grandson along with many other fathers and grandfathers to attend his elementary school class. Those of us who attended wore as much of our old uniforms as we could still get on to our bodies. We were honored by those young folks, but Memorial day is a day to honor far more than those of us who attended that class. It is so much more important to honor all of those who have served our country and help to keep it free.
Anthony Bosworth
I served in the United States Navy. I recall Memorial Day to be parades. As a young person in high school, I was in the marching band and played in local Memorial Day Parades. I recall in the early 50’s, after WWII, many veterans, at that time, in the parade as well. Fast forward in my life to college, I joined the ROTC and upon graduation, I was in active duty on the USS Forrestal. It was peace time — a different time. After my Naval duties, I remained in the reserves for 10 years, found my way to Wilmington, De., where I joined the crew
of a tall ship replica of the Kalmar Nyckel. Today, on this day, I wonder if people will reflect on those serving and those who have served our country. Yes, parades are nice to recall or even attend but my hope is we all remember service to our country.
Conrad Szablewski
I served in the United States Marines. As a youth in high school, I have to admit, I didn’t know then what I wanted to do. I recall Kennedy’s speech “… ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” So, in 1965, I decided to join the service and help my country. I have to chuckle (now) since the discipline in the service wasn’t that difficult since it was similar to the discipline at home. My job was outfitting helicopters that went into service in The Vietnam War. Later, I got involved with the funerals of the service people who died and that really made it more real for me what Memorial Day is all about. It was very difficult helping to honor those fallen but especially the families. That is what we remember today.
Cooey Chung
I served in the United States Army. My first memory of Memorial Day was to commemorate the end of World War II, the war to end all wars, which occurred right after I graduated from high school. I had just turned 16 and wanted to enlist but my parents had plans for me to attend college. My initial taste of army life was ROTC at Lehigh. In 1951 I started my six years of army service in Military Intelligence initially as a Prisoner of War Interrogator in Korea followed by an assignment with Armed Forces Recruiting in New York City. I later was stationed with Headquarters Second Army at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland after a brief stint at Fort Riley, Kansas. I maintain my connection with the Services through my membership with the American Legion, my post in New York City participates in a Memorial Day Parade annually. Memorial Day reminds me of the many who died serving and defending our country, among them several who I trained with.
Compiled and submitted by Michele Berardi, Director Community Outreach, Kendal— Crosslands Communities, Kennett Square.