Marenisco Township honors fallen on Memorial Day

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Marenisco TOWNSHIP - A balmy day provided the basis for a Memorial Day service at the Marenisco Township Cemetery.

Acting as emcee, John Zorich began the program by leading the public in "The Pledge of Allegiance." He is the commander of American Legion Post 523.

Zorich also thanked attendees, adding, "I believe I speak for all veterans in saying it means so much to us."

"More than 1 million men and women have been lost since the American Revolution," said Legion Chaplain Bruce Mahler while referring to this country's casualties of war.

"Our freedom is not free," added Mahler in his main address. He said that it is only possible because people such as family members, neighbors, etc. defended the country with their lives.

"Veterans have seen heroism in its purest form," said Mahler after noting that surviving members of the service are able to enjoy and appreciate opportunities such as good careers, families and other hallmarks of a great life because of what they fought for, along with comrades now resting in Normandy American Cemetery in France, Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, and small-town cemeteries across the nation.

"May they always be remembered," said Mahler of those fallen, while also noting those soldiers whose bodies remain unfound. "May they all rest in peace, and may God bless America."

Under the direction of Isaac Boehnlein, the junior and senior high school band of Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School played the national anthem and "The Armed Forces Medley."

Mahler also read the Roll Call of the Dead.

Members of an American Legion firing squad fired three volleys, after which band members Owen Miljevich and Eli Hewitt played "Taps."

Zorich closed the ceremony by asking his audience to think less in terms of a "happy Memorial Day" and more in terms of making the day "meaningful."

After the ceremony, the Marenisco Fundraising Committee provided a luncheon at the town hall.