There were a number of Memorial Day events across the Northeast, kicking off with Father Judge’s annual ceremony at its Vietnam War memorial.
Judge honored its 27 graduates who died in Vietnam, while also recognizing the graduates of North Catholic – a fellow Oblates of St. Francis de Sales school that closed in 2010 – who died in the war.
The event featured a bagpiper playing a military song melody, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, prayer by the Rev. Vince Smith and Brother Jim Williams and a reading of President Donald Trump’s Memorial Day Proclamation.
Larry Vitale (Judge class of 1975), whose brother Michael died in the war, thanked police officers and firefighters for attending. He was the project manager for the 27 banners that were placed on poles around Ramp Playground, across from the school, following last year’s service.
The names of the Judge 27 were read.
North Catholic graduates Bob Kensil (1974) and Jack Devine (1969) recognized the young men from their alma mater who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Boys Scouts of America Troop 160 began its day by placing a wreath at the Burholme Memorial for Peace at Jardel Recreation Center. The troop also planted flowers that were again donated by Molenaar Greenhouse, of Ivyland.
Next, the troop walked to the World War I monument at Cottman, Oxford and Rising Sun avenues. A wreath was placed at the monument, which features the names of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps “Sons of Burholme” who fought in World War I in 1917 and ‘18.
Troop 160 then headed to the Protestant Home for its annual ceremony, emceed by Bill Conaway, PPH’s director of community relations, who asked all veterans to stand for a round of applause and explained the meaning of the table set for one for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
Also at PPH, Scoutmaster Walt MacBride read Memorial Day messages by Presidents Donald Trump and George W. Bush.
Resident and Army veteran Audrey Alston sang the national anthem, God Bless America and Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones. Pastor Earl Scott, the chaplain, offered the invocation and benediction. There was a wreath laying, the playing of Taps and the reading of In Flanders Fields.
Joe Delmar and Sean Tobin, aides to state Rep. Anthony Bellmon and U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, were in attendance.
Elsewhere, Michael J. Crescenz Medal of Honor Rising Sun VFW Post 2819, 6850 Martins Mill Road, held its annual ceremony.
Steve, Chris and Joe Crescenz represented their brother, a Cardinal Dougherty graduate who was the only Philadelphian to earn the Medal of Honor for his heroics in Vietnam.
The post’s Auxiliary took part in the ceremony, following earlier visits to Jardel, Prince of Peace Church, Trinity Church Oxford, the World War I monument at Five Points and the war memorial in Cheltenham.
The event also included a benediction by chaplain Mike Suermann and a performance of the national anthem by Luke Jardel and Michael Molloy.
Ava Pomales, a junior at Little Flower, was recognized for her participation in the Voice of Democracy contest.
The guest speaker was Chris Kunkel, a Marine Corps veteran and author of Victory Over Chaos.
The lawn was covered with hundreds of crosses and American flags in memory of Post 2819 members who have died. A wreath was placed at the memorial honoring the 27 Dougherty graduates killed in Vietnam. ••
