Ocean City Remembers Those Who Served in Memorial Day Service

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Bob Buker, Vice Commander for American Legion Post 524 and George Armstrong of VFW Post 6650, presented the wreath.

By Maddy Vitale Army Lt. Col. Eric Duckworth told the crowd at Ocean City Tabernacle that if you were to take some things from Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony, they should be to enjoy yourself, hold family close and embrace living. And for those who cannot, save an empty chair, whether it be a beach chair or a bar stool, in honor of the fallen heroes who served their country and fill it with someone you met, to share a moment. “Keep their memories alive,” Duckworth said. “Be a community. Be a country. Be Americans.”

Army Lt. Col. Eric Duckworth tells the audience to embrace life. In his solemn speech, he recounted the many men he served with who lost their lives on the battlefield. “Their dreams were left unfulfilled. All I can do is give a snapshot of who they were,” Duckworth said. He spoke of a father of three, who organized food drives, who was killed in active duty March 28, 2006. “I hope I can be half the man he was,” Duckworth said. “We are tempted to see our friends as gone. It is up to us to make the most of it,” he said. “It is not up to me to tell you. It is up to us, to make the memories of the fallen worth it.”

Charlie and Maryann Strange stand up as people applaud their son Michael Strange, who died in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Hundreds of people packed the Tabernacle for the ceremony including many dignitaries, such as Ocean City Councilmembers Keith Hartzell, Bob Barr, Antwan McClellan, Tony Wilson, Karen Bergman, Michael DeVlieger and Council President Pete Madden. Executive Director of the Regional Chamber of Commerce Michele Gillian also attended, along with Business Administrator Jim Mallon, who gave the opening remarks. April Wright, 7, joined her grandmother Linda Wright, both from Upper Township, to honor those who served. “I am here for my poppy who served in the Army,” April said.

April Wright, 7, and her grandmother Linda Wright attended to honor members of the military. Hartzell delivered the invocation and benediction and Boy Scout Troop 32 did the posting of the colors. The audience erupted in applause after Julia Mary Wilson sang the National Anthem. Mayor Jay Gillian told the audience to remember those who made the greatest sacrifice for our country. “We are lucky to have great veterans groups in Ocean City. Without them, this service would not have been possible,” Gillian noted. “Ocean City residents have always answered the call of duty.”

Mayor Jay Gillian speaks of sacrifice of those who have served. Charlie and Maryann Strange sat together on stage, alongside veterans from American Legion Post 524 and VFW Post 6650. The Philadelphia couple was there in honor of their son, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Strange, who was killed in action at age 25, in Afghanistan Aug. 6, 2011. They received a standing ovation. Another special portion of the ceremony honored those who had served or are serving who were in the audience. When the different branches of the military flashed on the screen, members stood up and the crowd applauded.

Members of the military stand up to signify their branch of service. American Legion Post 524 Adjutant Jack Hagan focus his remarks on a vital part of the ceremony. “Let us never forget their sacrifices,” Hagan said. Placed at the front of the ceremony was a small table, draped with a simple white tablecloth and adorned with a red rose. A glass was placed upside down on the table and there was a solitary, empty chair. Steeped in symbolism, the table and other items represented the soldiers who were taken prisoner or went missing in action and never returned home from war.

Bob Buker, Vice Commander for American Legion Post 524 and George Armstrong of VFW Post 6650, present the wreath. Hagan explained that the white tablecloth symbolized the purity of the soldiers and the red rose represented the blood they may have spilled. The glass was turned upside down because there was no opportunity for those soldiers to enjoy a celebratory post-war toast. The chair remains empty because the soldiers are still missing. But a white candle was also placed on the table, symbolizing the hope that all of the missing soldiers will someday return home. Another part of the ceremony that is particularly special, came when Bob Buker, Vice Commander for American Legion Post 524 and George Armstrong of VFW Post 6650, presented the wreath. Bob Marzulli, commander of American Legion Post 524 read the names of the veterans who are enshrined in Ocean City’s Honor Roll. After each name, Bill Cruice, Past Commander of Post 524, rang a silver bell after each name was called.

The ringing of the bell by Bill Cruice, Past Commander of Post 524, after Bob Marzulli, commander of American Legion Post 524, reads the names of the veterans who have fallen, is especially powerful. Then bugler Greg Murphy followed up by playing “Taps.” After Hartzell gave the benediction, Julia Mary Wilson gave another powerful vocal performance, this time of “God Bless America,” as audience members sang along. Michael Morrissey, Commander of VFW Post 6650 closed the ceremony with some powerful words. He listed casualties of war, including 1,448 soldiers killed on the last day in Vietnam. “For most Americans, they only see the numbers that the Vietnam War created,” he said of the names inscribed in memorial walls across the country. “To those of us who survived the war, and to the families of those who did not, we see the faces, we feel the pain that these numbers created.” Morrissey continued, “We are, until we pass away, haunted with these numbers, because they were our friends, fathers, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.” https://youtu.be/37tERXilgNQ