Though the pandemic curtailed traditional commemoration of Memorial Day, local vets created a virtual event for the entire community.

By Mary O’KEEFE

The Civil War was like no other in American history. It drew a line through the country that separated families and often pitted brother against brother. The soldiers who served in and survived the War Between the States were often a shadow of the men who went to war.

The Civil War took 498,332 lives. Three years after it ended in 1868 the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union soldiers, established a Decoration Day for the fallen soldiers. It wasn’t until 1971 that Decoration Day, renamed Memorial Day, was declared a national holiday by Congress.

For some, the weekend that includes Memorial Day, this year on May 25, is a time for sales and barbecues, although this year will no doubt see smaller events. But for most people this is a day to honor and remember men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military.

Locally every year the American Legion Post 288 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1614 would present for the community a Memorial Day event at Two Strike Park. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, however, the veterans had to curtail their remembrance event.

“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have put together a video for the community to view in lieu of having a public gathering,” said Robert Wollenwebber, American Legion Post 288 commander.

The video is similar to the program held in the past at Two Strike Park with scenes that include patriotic songs, a reading of a poem and the moving POW/MIA [Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action] ceremony presented by Lt. Col. Dave Worley.

“At our March Post 288 executive committee meeting, held on Zoom, we [decided] to cancel our annual Memorial Day of Remembrance program at Two Strike Park. I started wondering if there was a way to hold a virtual [program] other than Zoom and decided a YouTube video was a possibility,” said Lynn McGinnis, member of Post 288.

McGinnis reached out to CVW reporter Charly Shelton, who is also a former Rosemont Middle School student of his. McGinnis asked Shelton if he could help put a video together.

“When Charly agreed, I approached the other Post 288 officers. They were excited about the possibilities, so we outlined a program, divided up the segments and our Virtual Day of Remembrance was born,” McGinnis said.

Wollenwebber added that it is important for the veterans at the American Legion to recognize Memorial Day.

“To me Memorial Day is 100% for fallen veterans. People often get Veterans Day and Memorial Day confused. Veterans Day is for all veterans who served in the military; Memorial Day is strictly for those soldiers, sailors and airmen, both male and female, who paid the ultimate price to defend our freedom,” Wollenwebber said. “It is also to recognize their dedication and their families who have endured their loss. Memorial Day is very important to most veterans because it specifically remembers those who were Killed In Action [KIA], those who were Prisoners Of War and not accounted for and those who are still Missing In Action.”

The American Legion and VFW worked together in this remembrance. These two veterans organizations not only support their fellow veterans and their families but the community as well.

“The American Legion Post 288 is a unique post in that we are very active in the community with passionate volunteers, particularly when it comes to helping other veterans and the youth of our community. We hope that we have served the community well and we look forward to serving the community in the future,” Wollenwebber said. “We also appreciate the partnership with other organizations such as Prom Plus and the Boy Scouts.”

The video can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/otf21_iz31s  or click the QR code or visit cvweekly.com and look under the Video tab.

“Our simple hope is that our friends and neighbors in the Crescenta Valley join us on Monday, May 25 and just remember,” McGinnis said.

  Mary Okeefe