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Friday May 23, 2014 Edition
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Veterans Never To Be Forgotten Memorial Day Perspectives From Those Who Served

Voices of Veterans like John Lenk (top)and Al Abair echo not only the personal stories of those who served, but the realities of keeping alive and understood that each veteran contributed and those in uniform continue to serve their nation today with pride and purpose.
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Voices of Veterans like John Lenk (top)and Al Abair echo not only the personal stories of those who served, but the realities of keeping alive and understood that each veteran contributed and those in uniform continue to serve their nation today with pride and purpose.

Friday May 23, 2014

By Cookie Steponaitis

It is a mixture of solemnity and celebration when the state of Vermont descends on Vergennes for the Memorial Day Parade. The town population swells to 10,000 and the streets are literally lined with people of all ages three and four bodies deep in the Little City for the festivities. Bands play, floats go by, streamers and flags fly and speakers in the park commemorate the events that have marked this day as one of freedom and solemn remembrance.
   When looking at Memorial Day through the eyes of each generation it is a testimony to the events of that era and those who lived through World War Two and the Korean War when America suffered and grew strong coming of age. And to those who lived through Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Operation Freedom and Afghanistan America has a new role in the world and goes to where freedom is in danger or being extinguished.  And for all who enjoy the day it is perhaps the most enlightening to look at it through the eyes of those who have served and continue to serve because for them it is not about war but remembrance and never forgetting a veteran’s service.    
   Al Abair began his involvement with the U.S. Army on January 18, 1945 and arrived in Okinawa just two days prior to the surrender of Japan and VJ Day. “I became a part of an army of occupation,” shared Al Abare. “I began my tour driving a jeep for military personnel who were going from city to city rounding up weapons.” Abair spoke at length of there being nothing but block after block of standing but twisted steel girders while driving into the larger cities. When his tour of duty was completed on October 18, 1946 Abare had seen most of Japan, logged countless miles from his home and joined the ranks of millions of Americans who view Memorial Day from the perspective of having worn the uniform and served.
    “What people should never forget is it is not a date but a president,” remarked Abair. “President Harry Truman is who I am speaking of. Without him I would not be here and we would have had to invade the Japanese mainland which was set to happen on November 1, 1945. More would have died and more would have had to leave home to take up the cause. I believe that many Americans do not reflect on his role and need to.”
    American Legion Post #14 member John Lenk served in the U.S .Navy from 1938-1958 and went from one end of the planet to another aboard ships with the duty of searching out mines and charting safe passage for ships of all sizes. “I served on the USS Piedmont and the USS President Hayes,” shared Lenk. “One ship was during my World War Two service years and one was during the Korean War. When I retired I was a Chief Boilermaker and my job was repairs and tests boiler equipment, renews parts, repairs boiler plates and brickwork of boilers.”
    John Lenk was born in Brooklyn, New York on November 18, 1918 and looks at Memorial Day as one that not only demonstrates the strength of American freedom but also the bond of those who served to keep it free. In addition to learning to stand on his own two feet while serving his country, Lenk has come to use the day to reflect on those who did not come back and all those whose paths he crossed in his years of service. “You really learn to work with people and to accept people,” remarked John Lenk.  “There are a lot of men on those ships and each has a specific job to do. You work as a team and you learn how to do it seamlessly. That bond never goes away.”
    As your family heads out for the parade, the barbeques and festivities of the weekend and you double check your list of necessities that include hot dogs, buns, watermelon, sun screen, baseballs, mitts and gloves, remember one more item. Remember a moment, two or even three and pause in reflection for the gifts that are ours by birth and protected by those in uniform past, present and future as the parade theme reminds us all, veterans can never be forgotten.


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