The 21st Ward Veterans Association held their annual salute to fallen vets at Gorgas Park and it couldn’t have been better attended.
Perhaps, after being cooped up after five days of intermittent rain, people were just looking for any break in the weather to get out of the house.
Or, as was more likely the reason, we live in a community that has a profound admiration for service members who have sacrificed their lives in times of war so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms upon which our country was founded.
If you picked B, you might have been one of the many patriotic residents who flocked to one of the several tributes that were on the docket that day to honor our fallen heroes.
Vets Lyda Doyle and Chuck Foley had the honors of placing the commemorative wreath at the base of the Gorgas Monument. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Bugler Mike Bromberg might play ‘Taps’ off in the distance, but his superb rendition always goes straight to the heart. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Roxborough Male Chorus member Bob McClenahan has Memorial Day circled on his calendar well in advance. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Talented bugler Mike Williams, next to Mike McFall, performs regularly at local veterans events. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Roxborough bred Retired USMC Col. Larry Henigan reflects upon the Corps motto Semper Fidelis. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
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Vets Lyda Doyle and Chuck Foley had the honors of placing the commemorative wreath at the base of the Gorgas Monument. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
The Gorgas Park ceremony was fortunate that Mother Nature had finally turned off the tears in what was a rather bleak couple of days for those waiting to celebrate the holiday weekend.
The other stopovers held earlier in the day, including those at the Wissahickon Memorial and Leverington Cemetery, were not quite so lucky.
The Gorgas Park finale is generally the one that seems to attract the biggest crowds, most likely due to its ease of access and because it’s held later in the day.
Can’t blame folks for wanting to sleep a little later on a national holiday.
An avid historian, retired Col. James Browne’s presentation is always thought provoking at veteran’s affairs. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Diane and Domenic DiRenzo had the pleasure of the company of their furry buddy Moe during the proceedings. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Bugler Mike Williams poses with the Hattal-Taylor rifle guard prior to the ceremony. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
21st Ward Veterans Assn. President Bruce Hoffman shows his deep patriotism whenever at the mic. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
A man of many hats in the community, Rev. Jack Kennedy provides an inspiring Invocation. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
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An avid historian, retired Col. James Browne’s presentation is always thought provoking at veteran’s affairs. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
The assembly was shoulder to shoulder surrounding the Gorgas Park Memorial Monument with excellent sight lines of the presenter’s area that was shrouded in American flags to honor soldiers who perished during the evacuation in Afghanistan and the recent skirmish in the Middle East.
21st Ward Veterans Association Prez Bruce Hoffman, who wears his patriotic heart on his sleeve, jump starts the affair each year with his eye opening take on the state of affairs within our divided nation.
Not one to mince words, Hoffman is direct and honest about his obvious love of our country and his fear of the internal and external forces that seek to dismantle it.
The Roxborough Male Chorus got the ball rolling with an inspiring rendition of the National Anthem.
The Chorus, who perform several times a year at community events, would later close out the ceremony with 3 heartfelt patriotic classics that included America, America the Beautiful, and God Bless America.
The Rev. Jack Kennedy, who wears several hats in our community through his work with Phliabundance and his Small Things enterprise, provided a profound Invocation.
The good reverend, who pours his heart and soul into his charitable work, displays the same level of passion and empathy when doing public speaking engagements at all of the veterans events.
Lyda Doyle, Chuck Foley, James Dougherty, Larry Henigan, and James Browne all played a part in making the ceremony first rate. (Photo by Rick Cawley)
Keynote Speaker Retired Col. James Browne has graced veterans events for years with his insightful commentary on the historical perspective of our country’s fallen soldiers through the years.
He takes the bull by the horns as he eloquently sums up the meaning of Memorial Day while weaving in his remarks centering on God, country, and family.
Col. Browne avidly reminded the attendees that “we must never forget” the sacrifices made by our brethren during armed conflicts who leave “a nation in their debt.”
His thought provoking commentary echoed the sentiment that “freedom is not free” and that it is our duty to carry on the legacy of our heroes who paid the ultimate price for that freedom.
Roxborough native and Retired Marine Colonel Larry Henigan reinforced many of the same themes as Col. Browne that dealt with remembrance, gratitude, and reflection.
Col. Henigan made note of the USMC’s recent 250th anniversary and their iconic Semper Fideles motto (Always Faithful).
He proudly mused that when conflicts arise, the Marine Corps are usually the first ones on the scene to preserve the cause of peace, often at a heavy price.
The highlight moment of each year’s ceremony is the placing of the commemorative wreath at the base of the grand Gorgas War Memorial.
This year the honor went to Roxborough born and bred vets Lyda Doyle and Chuck Foley as all stood at attention for this dignified annual rite of passage.
While this was taking place, the Hattal-Taylor rifle guard stood along side of bugler Mike Williams waiting for their cue to fire a rifle salute to their fallen comrades in arms.
The deafening rifle sound and subsequent playing of Taps was a harsh contrast to the hush of silence that befell the attendees.
Bugler Mike Bromberg, hidden in the distance beyond the monument, added a spellbinding answer to the Taps duet with Williams.
After closing remarks and thank yous by Hoffman, the Roxborough Male Chorus added a musical coda to bring closure to another successful tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending the freedoms that Americans have long cherished.