ORANGE — Memorial Day has deep meaning for many, but it was especially poignant this year for the Marshall family during the service held in Memorial Park Monday morning.
Conducted by Leo Barber, District 2 Commander of American Legion Post 172, more than 200 people of all ages crowded the park with its famed Peace Statue framed by brilliant pink azalea bushes under a pristine sky.
Spectators dressed in red, white and blue spilled onto the South Main Street bridge, festooned with more than a dozen new flags, as a larger than usual parade made its way from the Post Office around the square to Water Street into Memorial Park. Stepping lively to music played by the Mahar Regional School marching band, and escorted by Orange Acting Police Chief James Sullivan and Police Officer Tim Powling, were the American Legion Color Guard (Shawn White, David O’Lari and Kevin Bezio), American Legion Auxiliary Unit President Deborah Barber, District 2 Director Dot Kelton, a couple military vehicles driven by Clay Rushford and Adrian Paul, a golf cart carrying Jim Cornwell and George Willard, and a vehicle operated by Paul Robichaud, chauffeuring Oli Paoletti. Stationed in the park were members of the American Legion Post 172 firing squad — Henry and Mark Crosby (who are also members of the Rolling Thunder Vt1), Doug McIntosh, and Ron Pratt (also of Rolling Thunder). Also participating in the ceremony were American Legion Post 172 Past Commander Walter White, who is next year’s incoming commander; students Tucker Ninteau, who read from the “Gettysburg Address,” and Todd Chiasson, who recited “In Flanders Fields.”
At Barber’s command, all turned with eyes trained on Old Glory waving gently in the warm breeze. The flag, raised one year ago in honor of Stewart Marshall, was lowered by Dept. Senior Vice Commander Jodie Pajak and her husband Drew Pajak, and replaced with a new flag in honor of Durward ”Stubby” Cornwell.
The American Legion Post 172 firing squad shot three volleys in remembrance of the fallen, which was followed by the playing of “Taps” by Tyler Hayes. The deafening silence that ensued was broken by Carol McDonald singing a moving rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Marshall’s family stood silently watching. “Memorial Day is pretty meaningful in our family,” said Kim Marshall, prior to the start of the proceedings, “our uncle is a Purple Heart veteran of World War II. He told us the meaning of Memorial Day. He instilled in us that it’s not to glorify war — it’s to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom, and how important that is. And how important it is to work toward no more war — so we don’t have to have more fallen veterans we have to remember.”
She said, “The flag they are retiring today we raised last year in memory of my dad, Stewart Marshall. It’s a nice service the Trustees of Memorials do in our town. And it’s very meaningful.”
She said her father did not pass on the battlefield. “But he was a proud U.S. Airforce veteran.” Her nephew, Camden Marshall, a 2013 graduate of Mahar Regional School, is currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed in Juno, Alaska for two years. She said, “It’s important to us to honor that; honor those who didn’t make it back, honor those who made it back but are still suffering in silence.”
Others in attendance included Paula Crochier, who hails from a military family with three brothers, her father, stepfather, and son (Shawn White who was marching in the parade), grandfather, uncles who all served in the military. “It’s an important day for me,” she said.
Carol Whetherby was there to honor her late husband Jerry Wetherby, who in the service, served during the Vietnam era, and who was a member of the 100 Man’s Club.
Nancy Sawyer shared that she had two brothers who served in Vietnam, and two grandsons presently serving their country.
Megan Leary offered the invocation and benediction, thanking God for our freedom and justice. She said, in part, “We are remembering that war has many casualties — those who have died in battle, those who are left behind, their lives forever changed by the loss of a spouse or loved one. Remember those who suffer as a result of war, injury, disability and mental distress. Remember the family members of these great heroes.”