‘WE ALL BLEED THE SAME’

Reverence, gratitude mark day’s ceremony

POTTSTOWN » Mike Wintersteen doesn’t understand people who say “Happy Memorial Day.”

A member of the group Combat Vets MC, Wintersteen says for those who have survived armed combat, a day honoring those who did not survive is anything but happy.

“How can you say ‘Happy Memorial Day?” his voice cracking, Wintersteen told a crowd gathered for Memorial Day observances Monday morning in front of Pottstown’s World War II memorial.

“They don’t understand what we’ve been through,” he said. “It’s rough for a lot of us. “

In recognition of that, Wintersteen’s group, which he says helps many cope with civilian life, wanted to give back and mark the sacrifice made by so many.

EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP Richard Essick, 95, who served in both World War II and the Korean War, and who is a veteran of the Navy SeaBees, Marine Corps and Air Force, as well as an honorary member of the Army National Guard, placed the wreath honoring the dead of World War II on Monday.