McDonald remembers those who gave lives

We should celebrate our heroes as well as mourn them, a speaker said.
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
McDONALD -- A hush fell over the crowd surrounding the village war memorial as Mayor James Border read the names of local residents who died in the line of duty.
The sun shone and birds chirped as about 100 people watched firefighters solemnly place an American flag on the memorial as the names of the fallen were read.
"This is all about the freedom of our country," noted guest speaker Capt. Brent Davis of the Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna. "And we wouldn't be free without the sacrifices from our soldiers."
In all, 19 names were read aloud Sunday at the war memorial in Woodland Memorial Park.
"This is a very important celebration to the village," said Jo Ann Winterbauer, chairwoman of the annual event, hosted by the volunteer fire department. Winterbauer is an emergency medical technician for the fire department.
"We do it to honor the veterans that have given their life for us so that we can be free," she said.
Joe Krumpak attends the remembrance every year with his wife, Mary. A veteran of World War II, Krumpak knew many of those memorialized in the park. The observance is an important reminder of the true meaning of the day, he noted.
"People forgot about what happened years ago," he said. "They let it go."
After 42 months serving his country, during which he earned a Silver Star, Purple Heart and Bronze Star, he'll never forget, he added.
"Each person lost has been important, cherished by family and friends," Davis said. "We're not just here to mourn these heroes, we're here to celebrate them."
"Men and women in the various branches of the military have protected the United States for over two centuries, as well as providing humanitarian services," Davis said.
"Freedom of this kind is found in precious few countries throughout the world," he said.
He concluded by asking that those present pause for a moment at 3 p.m. today to observe the National Moment of Remembrance. "This is an act of national unity," he said.