"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
This is found in the Bible, John 15:13, and it was quoted this morning at the Memorial Day ceremony held outside UMMC's Jerome Center. The speaker was American Legion Commander Ronald Konieczny.
“We know what’s in people's hearts, we know how people feel about our veterans. It’s a much better feeling today than what it was during Vietnam,” Konieczny said. "It is easy for one to believe that (Biblical) statement after witnessing the generosity and admiration shown by all those who attended today's service..."
The atmosphere was solemn but proud, as it was when plans were unveiled for a new monument to commemorate deceased soldiers from Genesee County. It will honor those killed in action during World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
This $250,000 monument is estimated to be finished in 2013; however, no building will be done before the old plaques, which were stored due to recent renovations, receive a proper military burial. The old plaques, which once stood in front of the hospital on North Street, are to be retired and then buried under the new monument.
Aside from individual grave sites, this commemorative monument will be the only permanent place in Batavia where friends and family of deceased soldiers can pay homage to their lost loved ones, and permanent it will be. The entire monument, plaza and tablets are going to be solid granite. To aid fundraising, the granite pavers used to make the plaza will be sold to families and inscribed with whatever special message is desired.
Though the announcement of the new memorial generated a lot of excitement, the service maintained its true purpose, which was honoring the heroism of deceased soldiers. Helen Laird and Adeline "Dolly" Gioia, two Gold Star mothers whose sons were killed in combat, were honored today as well as 178 soldiers who died between 2010 and 2011. For each soldier, an American flag was placed in the ground in front of the hospital.
Memorial Day is only one day of remembrance, but for the veterans and families of fallen soldiers it is more than that. It's a chance to show their respect for the sacrifices that their comrade or family member made. With the help of United Memorial Medical Center and those who attended the commemoration, that is exactly what was accomplished today
