A 30-year member of the US Marines that has assisted families who have lost loved ones in the military hopes to make Memorial Day more than a three day weekend.
Mike Gasperini was the guest speaker at the Salem Memorial Day program sponsored by the Salem American Legion held at the Veterans Memorial in East Lawn Cemetery. He now works with the Global War on Terrorism Wall of Remembrance for those who lost their lives in the Middle East which he says will be coming to Marion this summer and hopefully the local area.
“I want to challenge everyone of you throughout the year to look for a reason to honor one of our fallen. Because without them our freedoms would not be here. As a child, I grew up in the Vietnam era. I personally didn’t have much understanding on what was going on. It wasn’t showcased, honored or something we all look forward to. So today I honor and say thank you to all our Vietnam veterans and over 58,000 who never made it home. This day is for you, more so than ever.”
Gasperini says support is better for the families who lost love ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“What some people don’t realize, is even though they lost someone, they’ve gained an entire Army, that all come together to honor their loved ones every year. I wish we could do that for every war and conflict we have ever been in. I pray to God that we never go back, and we continue going forward in honoring loved ones.”
Gasperini says Memorial Day should not be about a three day holiday, but about families who have lost loved ones to make sure they are not forgotten. He feels we should go a step further and honor the fallen throughout the year.
The program also included music by the Kaskaskia River Brass and the placing of the wreath by Jennifer Burge.
Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith
