Legion Post 1 Pays Tribute to Fallen Brothers, Sisters at Wheeling Memorial Day Ceremony
Emma Delk Trending
WHEELING -- Veterans gathered at the Heritage Port Veterans Amphitheater to remember the servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives for their country during the American Legion Post 1 Memorial Day Service.
American Legion Post 1 Commander John Powell welcomed the approximately 115 attendees to the ceremony on Monday. He said it was "always an honor" to stand before the crowd at the Memorial Day ceremony.
"It always touches my heartstrings to see the citizens of Wheeling stop what they're doing and spend the morning with us for this ceremony," Powell said.
Powell described the veteran as someone who, at one point, "wrote a blank check made payable to the U.S. for an amount up to and including their life."
He said the ceremony would serve as a moment of remembrance to those who never made it home to their families or "to gather with their brothers and sisters in arms to share the title of veteran."
"Today is the one day of the year that we pause and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving the country," Powell said. "I would also like to recognize all those among us who have paid a part in the great brother and sisterhood we call the U.S. military, including our veterans, active duty servicemen and women, guardsmen and reservists. Your service and sacrifice have kept our country safe and free."
Following Powell's words, ceremonies were held to honor Prisoners of War who are Missing In Action and military children. American Legion Auxiliary Unit 1 President Michelle Powell read the poem "In Flanders Field" by Lieutenant Col. John McCrae.
U.S. Navy veteran Tom Abell, the first vice president of American Legion Post 1, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He shared the stories of veterans who lost their lives for their country, labelling them as the "true heroes" of society.
"There are sports heroes, action heroes, political heroes, but is there any group more deserving of the title of 'hero' than the more than 1 million men and women who sacrificed their lives to defend the nation?" Abell asked. "I don't think so."
Abell told the story of a veteran who was both a sports hero and a hero for his country -- Jack Lummus. The former New York Giants football player decided to hang up his jersey for a different uniform when he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve.
"It was during the eighth game of his career with the Giants that a message flashed up on the stadium board that there was an attack on Pearl Harbor," Abell said. "Jack decided right then what he was going to do. He played the rest of the game, and as soon as his season was over, he enlisted in the service."
Lummus was assigned as an executive officer in the Marine Corps in 1944 and was sent to fight to take the island of Iwo Jima in 1945. He knocked out three enemy strongholds during his platoon's final assault, but afterwards stepped on a land mine and was mortally wounded.
"Jack attempted to stand, though his legs and torso were badly mangled," Abell said. "He was rushed to surgeons who attempted to save his life. Lieutenant Lummus said to them, 'Well, Doc, the New York Giants just lost a mighty good end today.'"
Lummus was posthumously awarded a Medal of Honor for his actions in Iwo Jima. Abell noted that while Lummus was one of the "most famous heroes of one of the most famous battles," many more lost their lives while fulfilling military missions.
Abell described the sacrifices of other servicemen and women who dedicated their lives to their country, from an army medic in the Vietnam War to lieutenants who conducted multiple combat missions against Houthi terrorists. He added that the heroes they honor on Memorial Day are not exclusive to any gender, race or religion. He noted they also come from diverse economic classes and backgrounds.
"Our heroes are a diverse group wedded to the belief that America is a nation worth dying for," Abell said. "The heroes that I mentioned have earned prestigious awards in military decorations, but just like the soldiers known only to God, countless veterans have not been recognized for their bravery due to a lack of surviving witnesses who could document their final actions, and they are no less heroes. We are gathered to remember their sacrifices and celebrate that throughout our history, this great country has produced men and women of honor.
"We must not forget them," Abell continued.
Powell said Abell's words resonated strongly with him, noting that not enough respect is paid to the students who choose to serve their country after high school.
"We have big signing days for kids who received scholarships to colleges to play sports, but we pay little attention to the child who's graduated high school and has signed their name on a dotted line to join the Army, Air Force, Marines or Navy," Powell said. "Those are great things, but we don't pay enough homage to them. I pray that we never have to add their names to the Gold Star list."