Everybody mourns differently, a fact very evident at the Memorial Day ceremonies that took place in Jersey City on May 30.
Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery kicked off their eighth annual “Honoring our Heroes” jubilee with patriotic songs performed by the Patriot Brass Ensemble and a USO Show Musical Tribute performed by an Andrews Sisters-like trio called The American Bombshells.
A short time later, up in The Heights at Pershing Field’s Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, the mood was less festive, as solemn family members and friends of those lost in Vietnam or as a result of war injuries came together to remember and lay roses on two graves in the park.
The two events reflected the wide range of emotions that Memorial Day brings out, and the generational divide between those who fought in World War II and Korea and those who fought in Vietnam and subsequent wars.
“There are more casualties than those whose names appear on the (Vietnam Memorial) wall in Washington, DC.” – John Stanton
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Praising those that served
The main flag for the cemetery stood at half mast as people wandered in from Newark Avenue. They were greeted by the patriotic tunes of the brass band.
For many of the elder veterans, the experience was a trip back through time.
Dressed in Army clothing straight out of the World War II era, The American Bombshells sang patriotic songs that a group like the Andrew Sisters might have performed, giving the graveyard the feel of a USO show.
“We’re not here to mourn these veterans, but to praise them,” said Eileen Markenstein, volunteer president of the cemetery board of trustees, quoting President Abraham Lincoln. Then, quoting General George Patton: “It is foolish to mourn them, we should thank God that such men lived.”
Mayor Steven Fulop, a U.S. Marine veteran, appeared at both ceremonies, paid tribute to those who served and died in that service.
Council President Ronaldo Lavarro also appeared at both events, and said, “We are here to remember and honor our fallen heroes.”
Councilman Richard Boggiano took note of the cemetery and its historic surroundings, and made a pitch to preserve a nearby plot of land, where he said Revolutionary War Generals George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette met and plotted out the battle for Paulus Hook.
Assemblyman Raj Mukherji recalled a friend who recently died in Afghanistan, a man, who had volunteered at 35, and died during his third tour.
Pershing Field was full of memory
Although several hundred people gathered at the Vietnam Memorial for its 20th Memorial Day commemoration, there were fewer survivors this year than last, something that they were painfully aware of.
Like all wars, the effects of combat have lingered after the conclusion of the war. But many Vietnam veterans suffered from additional burdens, such as the affects of the jungle defoliant Agent Orange. For years, the U.S. government did not acknowledge some of these issues, including post traumatic stress disorder.
Many veterans died from complications.
“These became the hidden casualties,” said John Stanton, president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee. “There are more casualties than those whose names appear on the (Vietnam Memorial) wall in Washington, DC.”
The memorial in Pershing Field has two grave stones, one honoring the 68 residents who died in Vietnam, and the second honoring the 77 veterans that died after returning home.
Stanton thanked those “who gave up everything for their country,” and added that, “We forget so soon those that died as hidden casualties, who came home and didn’t make it.”
One by one, family members strode up the paved path to the gravestone placing red roses before it in tribute to loved ones.
The most prominent of those named on the second monument was David Cline who was credited with establishing this annual ceremony for Vietnam Veterans.
Deirdre Healey, a Bayonne resident, came to honor her father Kenneth and her father’s best friend, both from Jersey City. Her father is among those who died later after returning from the war. She spoke extemporaneously about them because she felt she needed to speak up. She said two more of her father’s friends have since joined the ranks of the hidden casualties.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.