Thoughts from Dr. Joe: Gearing up for a Memorial Day service
It is the likes of individuals like Don Hingst who built this city and its stalwart traditions. More than 40 years ago, Hingst founded the La Cañada Memorial Day commemoration service. An intuitive man, he realized the necessity of creating a connection between the unfathomable sacrifices of the few and the unknowing many.
Not everyone defines Memorial Day as a barbecue and a trip down Foothill Boulevard on a fire truck. The holiday is filled with irony, and I like to think that the sacrifices of the few have guaranteed the joy of the many.
About seven years ago, Hingst passed on the commemoration responsibilities and I assumed the chair. Although I serve enthusiastically, I also serve with a heavy heart. Each year I exhaust myself trying to design a commemoration that is worthy of those who never came home. It’s staggering to conceptualize the loss of life from the American Revolution to the present day war on terror.
Patrick Henry was right when he said, “Gentlemen cry peace! But there is no peace.” Perhaps his prediction 250 years ago was accurate. “Give me liberty or give me death,” he said.
Memorial Day is set aside to pay homage to those whose death assured the liberty.
I have a definitive method relative to the conduct of the commemoration. If you’ve attended you will note that children drive the La Cañada service. It is our responsibility to carry on the traditions of Memorial Day and honor the sacrifices made on our behalf. We are the link between the present and the future. Attending the ceremony, carrying the flag, raising the flag, and listening to the names of the fallen are concrete experiences that bridge the gap between the abstract and an understanding of why this is significant. Continued exposure to these concrete experiences such as the Memorial Day Commemoration will help build a virtuous society.
I can’t take credit for that paradigm. It comes from Plato’s “Republic,” as he testifies that teaching citizenship is the greatest virtue, since it guarantees the continuance of the culture.
As you may know, the commemoration is at 9 a.m. sharp this Monday, May 30, in Memorial Park. I’ve put together a strong team. The ceremonial adjutant is David Miketta. His brother, Steven, is the Sergeant of the Guard. The flag detail consists of Boy Scout Troop 502 along with assorted Girl Scouts.
Our readers are Ashley Lawrence, John Moore, Lenny Pieroni, Ashley Dietrich and the Brownies of Troop 391. They will also lead the congregation in the Pledge of Allegiance. Shelby Lawrence, Elisa Booth and Kayla Perez will present the 48-star flag that flew at the northern gun battery on Dec. 7, 1941. Maggie Mackenzie will sing the national anthem. She will then join the commemorative Singers: Kayla Periera, Maya Morgan, Janet Leyva, Lauren Gmelich, Emille Risha and Sofie Daley in a rendition of solemn songs. Anna Lee, our violinist, will play “Ashokyn Farwell.”
Father Tony Marti, the president of Saint Francis High School, will offer a benediction. Our daughter, Simone Puglia, will be the mistress of ceremonies. The La Cañada High School Marching Band and the Concert Choir along with the Junior ROTC program from Blair High School will also be present.
Jack Joy, Brent Whitfield, Jack Mackenzie and I merely assemble the volunteers. The kids show up. And it is they who carry the flag.
My team will do the best we can. Frankly, there’s nothing more we can do.
I no longer lament the reality that the Memorial Day commemoration is incidental to riding the fire truck and barbecuing hamburgers. Not since the Roman Empire has a society given the fallen soldiers their just due.
This year my team’s mantra will be a quote from Cicero: “Non nobis solum nati sumus.” Not for ourselves alone are we born.
JOE PUGLIA is a practicing counselor, a retired professor of education and a former officer in the Marines. Reach him at doctorjoe@ymail.com. Visit his website at doctorjoe.us.
