On Memorial Day, words like respect, duty, honor, sacrifice are used by everyone in the country, not just by those who wear a uniform.
North Royalton is one of the few communities in the area that have two Memorial Day ceremonies to honor those soldiers who gave their lives so we might enjoy the freedoms that we have. One ceremony was at the North Royalton Cemetery on Royalton Road. The other was at the Jeffrey Boskovitch Memorial at the Old City Hall on Ridge Road.
North Royalton resident Jerry Parrish was one of several hundred people who came to honor those who served. “I came out of respect for those I served with in Vietnam for five years. We wouldn’t be here without the sacrifices that they made.” Warren Dolezal agreed with Parrish’s thoughts. “Respect for those who served and for those who didn’t come back.” Vietnam War vet Les Van Dyke said he came to the Memorial Day ceremony to “remember those who gave their lives so that we could come back home.”
North Royalton Mayor Bob Stefanik opened the ceremony by asking everyone in attendance to remember the fallen because “they will forever be in our memory and forever be in our hearts.”
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3345 Commander Tim Zvoncheck said, “most people view this day as the end of a three-day weekend. But, for war veterans, it has a different type of meaning. It’s remembering those who have passed. It’s a somber day. But, it’s a day to remember and a day to celebrate what they did for this country.”
The ceremony ended with a wreath, flowers and a flag being placed at the War Memorial, a 21-gun salute by the Honor Guards of North Royalton Police and Fire and VFW Post 3345 and the playing of “Taps” and “Amazing Grace.”
Many in the crowd then made the short walk to the old City Hall to the Boskovitch Memorial.
North Royalton Veteran’s Liaison, Wally Ohler,, and USMC Retired Master Sergeant, Aaron Case, among others, read an honor roll of service men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty. Both men fought back tears when reading the names of the fallen. Master Sergeant Case said, “I read those names in appreciation because they gave their lives for us for our freedoms. There are too many names on this list and unfortunately, they keep coming.”
While the honor roll was being read, Ohler passed out carnations that were eventually placed on the Boskovitch Memorial.
“I always think of those who have sacrificed for our country and didn’t come home,” said Ohler. “I have to represent them, and to let their families know that we will never forget. There are so many who have taken the journey and continue to make the journey to insure that this is the greatest country on earth.”
Before I left the Boskovitch Memorial, Wally asked me and some others to stay for a few minutes. During the ceremony and the reading of the honor roll, Wally forgot to play the Marine Corps Hymn. Wally reached into his shirt pocket, brought out a tape recorder and played the hymn. What a powerful, but somber moment to remember those who had fallen. And it happened right here in North Royalton.
By: Joe Jastrzemski
Contributing Writer