In the name of honor
As a memorial service concluded, Millie Roach, left, and her daughter, Judy Messerly of Carnegie, place flowers at the grave of Millie’s husband and veteran William Roach, who died 3 years ago. Several hundred people attended the Memorial Day services at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Sunday morning.
Bruce Brandy of Upper St. Clair lets the American flag wave in the breeze as he and his wife, Kathie Brandy, sit in the shade during ceremonies at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Sunday morning.
Dr. Vincent W. Patton III, retired master chief petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard, delivers the keynote address to several hundred people attending the Memorial Day services at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Sunday.
Dr. Vincent W. Patton III, left, and Congressman Tim Murphy place one of two wreaths in front of the podium during the wreath presentation at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Sunday.
Quincy McCormick, 9, leans against his mother, Kelly McCormick of Pittsburgh, as they stand in front of the grave of Joseph Barrow, an Army veteran who died in October 2012. Barrow was Kelly’s father. Several hundred people attended the Memorial Day services at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Sunday morning.
Suzette Simon of Ingram wipes away one of many tears she shed during ceremonies Sunday. Her father, Lawrence McAfee, a Marine veteran who served in Vietnam, died in February and is buried at the Cecil Township cemetery.
Several hundred people attending the Memorial Day services at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Sunday morning listen to the Canon-McMillan High School band.
The U.S. military color guards opened ceremonies at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies with the presentation of colors Sunday morning.
Dr. Vincent W. Patton III recalled driving in his vehicle one Memorial Day several years ago listening to Casey Kasem play some tunes as part of his Top 40 radio program.
“He was remembering the singers and songwriters who had died,” said Patton, a retired master chief petty officer with the U.S. Coast Guard and keynote speaker at Sunday’s Memorial Day program at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. “(Kasem) said nothing of the veterans.”
Patton told the hundreds gathered it was a far cry from the first Decoration Day of May 30, 1868, when Gen. John Logan of the Grand Army of the Public had the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers decorated with flowers.
“We have somewhat forgotten the true meaning and traditions of Memorial Day,” Patton said. “It is to honor those who died serving our country.”
Memorial Day is one that Patton takes very seriously, thanks to his father, Thomas Patton, who was a veteran of World War II as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars. The elder Patton, who retired as a major in the U.S. Army, would take his nine children to visit cemeteries on Memorial Day, often stopping to reflect at a gravesite when he spotted a name that brought back memories of a fellow comrade.
“People in our neighborhood would be having the big and best barbecue, but he would take us to the cemeteries on Memorial Day,” Patton said. “He told us we could eat all the barbecue we wanted on the Fourth of July.”
Patton said his sons and daughters knew their father was hurting, but did not under stand why until one fateful Memorial Day in 1969 when the family received word that a beloved cousin, Ernie Patton, was killed in the Vietnam War.
“Just before he shipped out, he told us it was an honor to be a Marine” Patton recalled. “His name is on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.”
Patton said he took his daughters to a cemetery on Memorial Day.
“Like father, like son,” Patton said. “I told them about their grandfather and his proud service.”
Congressman Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, said living in the world today is a challenge unlike one that has ever been seen in the past.
“The present generation deems that they should be served instead of serving,” said Murphy, a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserves. “They look at heroes on the stage, in song or in an arena. Look at the heroes here. Look all around.”
“We couldn’t enjoy sun-drenched days like today without their sacrifice,” said State Sen. Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon.
Patton said the day is one of reflection and reconciliation.
“This is a day of mourning, not celebration,” he added. “We mourn the loss of lives and innocence. But we are not mourning the loss of hope.”