UPDATED Nov,. 14, 2024
They gathered after the noon Mass: veterans on walkers or wearing ballcaps, young adults in hoodies, Knights of Columbus members and Father Evarist Kabagambe, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting.
It was a simple ceremony, designed to recognize and honor the men and women who sacrificed and dedicated their lives for their country. They gathered in a circle around the Knights of Columbus Veterans’ Memorial at the parish Nov. 10, a day before Veterans Day. Some older participants sat or leaned their canes on benches.
PHOTO GALLERY: Veterans Day Ceremony in Whiting
Teen Girl Scouts led a flag ceremony to begin the service, which concluded with a lone trumpet player performing “Taps.”
Joanne Henderson, whose husband Harry served in the Air Force and died of cancer, said when she heard “Taps” she became emotional, thinking of her husband. “He’s buried in a military cemetery, they played ‘Taps’ and gave me the folded flag, and it makes me cry every time.”
Those who spoke at the podium thanked veterans, young and old, for their bravery and sacrifice.
Veterans share lessons learned
Joseph Morici of St. Mary’s Parish, Barnegat, served for six years, first in the Army, then the Army Reserve. He said he learned the most important thing is “to help your fellow man.”
“I love my country and have so much respect for veterans because they have done so much,” Morici said.
John Nowicki, who served in the Navy from 1967 to 1969, said he learned to “take advantage of what you have when you have it, because you never know what you’re going to lose.”
“To serve right now is not the way it was before, but it is still a dangerous type of situation … it’s something that you have to want to do,” he added.
Frank Landry, a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, served 26 years in the Air Force and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. He explained, “Everything, even still today … that we do, every person we meet, every event that takes place, affects who we are, makes each of us unique.” Everything that happens to someone changes their life in some way, Landry said.
He met his wife, Cherl, who also served in the Air Force, while he was serving in Texas. Despite being from different states, the military brought them together.
“God had a plan,” Cherl said.
Father Evarist Kabagambe prays during the Veterans Day ceremony. Kayla Latendresse photo
Frank began his service in 1969 and Cherl in 1972. Their oldest son is a retired Air Force colonel, and his wife is a retired Space Force colonel. Their youngest son is married to a Navy captain.
“Just meeting people from all parts of the world, all different cultures, it’s just amazing … especially in a community such as the military,” Cherl said. “It’s a family that you keep with you the rest of your life; it just helps you grow in so many ways.”
The memorial
Stone blocks create a “path of honor” leading to the Knights of Columbus Veterans Memorial. Each block has the names of veterans, families, or members of the Knights of Columbus. The memorial itself has the names of those who have and currently served in the armed forces.
Fred Whiteley, who has many Navy veteran family members, said the Knights of Columbus council buys the stone blocks, and Manchester Memorial Funeral Home pays for their installation and the memorial’s maintenance.
A bugler plays Taps in memory of those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Kayla Latendresse photo