Memorial Day remembers the brave and bold
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May 30—And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
The Rev. Aaron Kilbourn said, "The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem."
That is such a strong expression of those service men and women who gave their lives for our country. Next time I visit a cemetery or pass by a veterans memorial, I think I'll stop and listen silently to the chorus singing "The Star Spangled Banner."
Monday is Memorial Day, a day where people spend at least some time remembering and honoring those who died in uniform.
There is one relative I have who lost his life in World War II who I remember every Memorial Day. He is Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Sulich, my uncle, my mother's brother. He was a son of Daniel and Magdalene Sulich, Lower William Penn, West Mahanoy Township, both immigrants from Ukraine. He died on Oct. 4, 1944, due to wounds sustained in action. He is buried in France. In addition to his sister, Mary, my mom, he had two brothers, John and Stephen, who also served in the European Theater of Operations in WWII, and a half-sister, Anna.
On Nov. 10, 1945, the Pottsville Republican published the names of all who lost their lives in the Second World War from Schuylkill County. The introduction read:
"On this occasion of the anniversary of Armistice Day of World War I, the Republican presents a shocking list of county boys who gave their lives to their country in World War II.
"There are 963 of them. It indicates the great part Schuylkill Co. played in the winning of these two wars, across the Atlantic and across the Pacific.
"While every effort has been made to make the list complete, there is no thought that it is so.
"We undoubtedly have missed many young heroes who gave their lives.We would greatly appreciate such names in order to make this unusual historical record complete.
"These boys our Nation honors. These boys their home neighborhoods mourn. Their names are entered on the scrolls of the Nation's List of Honored Dead.
"All America salutes them."
If you would like to see the whole list, go to the Schuylkill County Genealogy Ties website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~paschuy2/wwIIdead.html
—Since Memorial Day is considered the unofficial launch of the summer season of all kinds of activities, it is also good to consider safety tips to make your summer a memorable one in a good way. The Northumberland County Department of Public Safety posted tips a number of years on Facebook for the Memorial Day holiday and beyond.
Driving safety
—Carry a disaster supplies kit in the trunk.
—Avoid distractions, especially cellphones and don't text while driving.
—Pay attention to the weather forecast along the route to the final destination.
—Make frequent stops and rest when tired.
—Observe speed limits. Be respectful of other motorists; follow the rules of the road.
—Turn headlights on as dusk approaches or during inclement weather.
—Use caution in work zones.
—Let someone know the arrival time, destination and route, so help can be sent if needed.
Grilling safety
—Never grill indoors — not in the house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
—Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use and make sure everyone, including pets, stays away from the grill.
—Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire.
—Keep the chef safe by using the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill.
—Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
—Be ready to close the lid and turn off the grill to cut off the fuel if necessary.
—Keep a fireproof pan under the grill to catch any falling ash or grease.
—Trim excess fat from meat to avoid flare-ups.
—Wash one's hands in hot soapy water before preparing food, after touching raw meat and after any interruptions such as using the bathroom, handling pets, stopping to do something with children.
Swimming and pool safety
—Constantly supervise children when they are near water. Never leave a young child unattended near water, and do not trust a child's life to another child
—Teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
—Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
—Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
—Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
—Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
—Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cellphone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
—Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
(Staff writer Usalis can
be reached at jusalis@republicanherald.com)
