Each year on Memorial Day the Greenbelt American Legion family joins the greater Greenbelt community, political leaders and others to acknowledge the sacrifice of those veterans who died answering their nation’s call.
Because of assembly and communications constraints caused by the COVID-19 virus, it appeared this year’s ceremony would not occur. As it seemed Memorial Day would go by without Greenbelt’s official recognition, Beverly Palau, Greenbelt’s public information and communications coordinator, collaborated with Greenbelt American Legion representatives to produce a virtual Memorial Day program. “The City of Greenbelt and Greenbelt City Council thought that it was of utmost importance to honor all our heroes that have lost their lives protecting our country,” said Palau. “We reached out to the Greenbelt American Legion and they helped immensely in putting the service together. It was an honor to work with them.”
The American Legion provided archival images of past Memorial Day services and scheduled Zoom time to record the Legion’s speaker. Palau’s program also captured a recording of council reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Mayor Colin Byrd, in company with councilmembers, addressing the community. The program may be seen at youtu.be/wdEaQW0I1T4.
Greg Gigliotti, Greenbelt American Legion Post 136 commander, addressed the community about the importance of Memorial Day. Adhering to COVID-19 distancing requirements, Gigliotti video-taped his remarks. He recalled military heroes who died in past conflicts such as 20-year-old Navy Corpsman James Williams, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his efforts trying to save wounded Marines at Iwo Jima. He recalled Marine Corporal Jason Durham who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous action falling on a grenade to save fellow Marines during the conflict in Iraq.
Gigliotti said that approximately one million men and women of the U.S. military have lost their lives through enemy fire or disease since the founding of our republic. He said those men and women could have opted for safer choices in their lives, but they chose to defend America when they were needed.
Gigliotti said that as we honor those in the military who died, we should also honor those who have lost their lives to protect us and keep our country going during this pandemic. In his commentary Gigliotti acknowledged service members, medical professionals and workers who had died from COVID-19.
