American Legion Post 136 held Memorial Day services at its post, rather than at Greenbelt’s War Memorial Park this year, to avoid predicted inclement weather. Even with the change in venue, Post 136 Commander Greg Gigliotti greeted more than 100 local participants coming to honor fallen veterans who gave the last full measure of devotion defending our country. Gigliotti said that during Memorial Day services, we honor the more than one million men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation while serving in wars and missions since the American Revolution.
“Each story is unique,” he said, “and each story represents heartbreak to the family and friends left to mourn.” Gigliotti told the story of one hero. “There was Private Furman L. Smith, who served with the Army’s 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division. Eighty years ago, his unit came under intense fire from German forces near Lanuvio, Italy. Severely outnumbered by the enemy, Private Smith tended to seriously wounded comrades, even as others withdrew. Smith emptied clip after clip of his M-1 Garand rifle and killed at least 10 enemy soldiers before he was fatally shot. The 19-year-old from Six Mile, S.C., was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.”
State Senator Alonzo Washington’s comments further supported the day’s solemnity. “Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend or unofficial start of summer,” he said. “We gather today on this solemn occasion of Memorial Day, we come together not only to enjoy the camaraderie of community but to honor and pay tribute to the greatest men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to serve our nation….”
Mayor Emmett Jordan presented a Memorial Day Proclamation extolling heroes’ sacrifice and devotion. “We’re forever grateful for their courage, selflessness and dedication to serve,” he said. “We should always honor the fallen men and women who served and defended our great nation with prayers for peace.”
It has been said many times, but it is particularly relevant on Memorial Day. As proud Americans, we should all remember that our freedom is not free. “It is only possible because heroes, some from our own families or neighborhoods, have paid a high price. It’s that price which enables us to have ceremonies and observances like this in towns across this great country,”
Gigliotti said. “In The American Legion Preamble, we pledge to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars. We do this not to pat ourselves on the back or impress people with stories of our own military service. We know what we did. But we are also witnesses. Veterans have seen heroism in its purest form.” Veterans served alongside the very men and women remembered today. One such witness was Lou Conter. On April 1, 2024, Lou died at age 102. He was the last survivor of the USS Arizona. During Pearl Harbor observances in 2020, Conter said to The American Legion, “We’re not the heroes. The 1,177 who went down with the ship are the heroes. You have to remember we got to go home, get married, have children and grandchildren and we’ve lived a good life. Those who didn’t get to do that should be called the heroes…. We were able to raise families, continue careers and live good lives because of the sacrifices made by young men and women who never came home. We must always remember them. May they all rest in peace.”