Worcester's Memorial Day weekend Wreath Ceremony at Elm Park remembers sacrifice of veterans
WORCESTER — When the red, white and blue floral bouquet broke the surface of the shallow murky waters in the lagoon in Elm Park, Frank Bonczek Jr.'s mind was on the depths of the ocean and his brother, a Naval reservist, buried beneath the waves.
Thomas Bonczek spent his final years in assisted living, miles from the shore and the sea that he loved. In 1999, when John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash and was buried at sea in a private ceremony aboard the destroyer USS Briscoe, Thomas wanted a similar burial, though he wasn't sure it could happen.
After some research, he learned that his ashes could be buried at sea and such an interment was arranged. He died the following year and while his family couldn't be there, the Navy was kind enough to provide a comforting video of the event, Frank said.
Now, on Memorial Day weekend, Frank honors Thomas in the city's unique annual Water Ceremony, held Sunday to honor those who served in military roles that took them to the water in their service.
Phil Madaio who served in Vietnam with the Army’s First Infantry Division served as Master of Ceremonies, his words sometimes rough around the edges as he made his way through Sunday's program.
The program began with a moment of silence for those killed in a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and continued with a prayer led by Deacon John Franchi of Anna Maria College.
Dee Dively, Past Commander of the Worcester Veterans' Council, read from a 1980 Telegram & Gazette article, speaking of the history of the ceremony.
"Sailors and Marines who died in battle who died in battle were the one especially honored," she read, adding that the ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic were instrumental in Memorial Day activities in the city.
Mayor Joseph M. Petty spoke and said that "the history of America at sea, and of our Navy, is a history of New England."
He said most recall the sacrifices at Pearl Harbor, Midway and Okinawa.
"Many have forgotten the actions of the Continental Navy on Lake Champlain, the Hudson River and, indeed, Boston Harbor," Petty said. "Today is the day to remember the sailors that fell at sea; many of these men and women never knew the honor of a flag-draped coffin because their bodies, along with their ships, will never come home."
From a footbridge, several veterans and family members cast wreaths and bouquets into the water where they peacefully floated, the breeze carrying them gently among the weeds as children played nearby, seemingly unaware of the sacrifices made upon the water many years ago.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester's Memorial Day weekend Wreath Ceremony at Elm Park recalls, honors sacrifice of veterans
