Thoughts from Dr. Joe: Thanking those who made Memorial Day special

In a final look at the most recent Memorial Day commemoration ceremony in La Cañada, I have a distinct vision about the importance of a communal recognition of solemnity. As adults, it’s up to us to pass on the traditions of Memorial Day and honor the sacrifices others have made on our behalf. For that reason, the local service is driven by children of our community.

Children 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 the day is significant.

On Monday, May 30, the La Cañada Memorial Day Commemoration team took the field. Some local adults and many kids brought the significance and rhetoric that paid homage to the soldiers who didn’t make it back. I’d like to recognize their contributions here.

Father Tony Marti, your words were heartfelt. You are revered as a priest and as a veteran. My aide-de-camp, Katherine Whitfield: You were everywhere, and went above and beyond the call of duty.

Thank you, Aloha Allure dancers. Your charm was memorizing. Karen Mcllevena, our piper: The pipes are significant in martial history and I felt you brought it.

To my Brownies of Troop 931— Charlotte, Clair, Alexa, Caroline, Edie, Olivia, and Victoria — thanks for leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Troop 4751, Elisa, Kayla and Shelby, you held the flag that flew over the first gun battery to engage the Japanese in World War II.

David Miketta, ceremonial adjutant and Steven Miketta, sergeant of the guard: You set the tone for the proper military protocol. The team took their ceremonial statue from your cue.

Boy Scout Troop 502, you carried and raised the flag. I am reminded of immortal words of Col. Robert Gould Shaw prior to the 54th Massachusetts’ assault of Fort Wagner, “Who will carry this flag!”

Blair High School JROTC, you were magnificent young men and women. I love the pride I saw in your eyes. Jason Stone and the LCHS Marching Band — you are the heart and soul of pageantry. Anna Yoo and Eddie Zhou, you guys took my breath away with your violin rendition of “Ashokan Farwell.”

The Commemorative Singers, Maggie, Maya, Janet, Kyla, Lauren, Emilie and Sophie and director Cari Golden, you touched our hearts. Those Monday night practices did not go wasted.

My letter and poetry readers — Sarah, John, Ashley Lawrence, Ashley Dietrich and Emilie and Courtney: You gave me what I wanted.

My prose readers — Ashley, Naomi, Lenny, Sophia, and Katherine: You set the tone for remembering the fallen soldiers. Katherine Whitfield, you honored Sgt. Joe Stifter’s place on the wall. Ashley Lawrence right before you spoke; I took you aside and told you to “nail this reading.” You did!

My name readers — Charlotte, Clair, Alexa, Caroline, Edie, Olivia, Victoria, Elisa, Kayla, Shelby and Megan: Thank you.

Jeff Brookey and the LCHS choral artists — after you performed, there weren’t too many dry eyes. I am humbled.

Jessica Stephen, my assistant mistress of ceremonies — you were my scout and I am forever in awe of you.

Simone Puglia (my dear daughter) — you were a brilliant mistress of ceremonies. Charm! Charisma! Meticulous attention to detail!

My staff — Jack Joy, Jack MacKenzie, Brent and Elizabeth Whitfield! Thank you.

I thought I’d borrow some thoughts from Elizabeth Gilbert to express my appreciation. “In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.”

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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.