VFW Salutes Those Who Have Served, Fallen Heroes

The celebrated Memorial Day by honoring those who have served, died and the men and women still defending the country.

“[Members of the American military] all have one thing in common: love and loyalty to our nation,” Frank Warholic, a Korean War veteran, said in his opening remarks.

Love and loyalty for the United States of America were Warholic’s focus as he led the annual ceremony, drawing in a crowd of around 70, including 25 veterans and one Gold Star relative. 

“May our hearts be filled with gratitude for all who serve,” he said. “For those brave members of our military who never came home, this Memorial Day is now for them, and is dedicated to them, and for those who are now serving in the on-going war on terror.”

Gold Star relative Barbara Vreeland, a Lake Valhalla resident whose twin uncles Neils and Henry Frostholm perished in World War II, was the first to place an American flag on the memorial table, the decorated centerpiece of the ceremony. 

Vreeland, the only one left her family with photos of her uncles, said it was her first time putting up a flag during a Memorial Day celebration.

“My husband must have told them, because I didn’t even know about it until they called my name,” she said, describing the experience as quite “emotional.” 

Board of Education President Dr. Karen Cortellino, a Towaco resident, also experienced an especially meaningful Memorial Day, as she was chosen to be the honorary speaker. 

“The best way we honor those who gave their lives protecting our freedom and country, is to remember how we got here, how we live our lives, and what we do every day,” she said.

While she has not served in the military, and therefore felt she did “not deserve the honor” of speaking, Cortellino delivered a well-received speech about her grandmother’s arrival to America from Italy, her uncle’s service in WWII, and the opportunities her family found in their new home. 

“Growing up, we understood how lucky we were to live in a country where we could aspire to be whatever we wanted,” she said. “We had a sense of belonging, not just to our family, to our school, or to our church, but to our country…we embraced all that America stood for, and as a result, I believe we fulfilled the American dream.”

This dream, she said, would not be possible without “the sacrifices of the men and women we honor today.” 

The ceremony went on to honor several specific individuals, including Frank W. Buckles, the last living veteran of World War I, who passed away last February, and Julian Handler, 21, a Pine Brook resident who has been serving in Afghanistan since March. 

JoAnn and Jerry Berzak, Handler’s parents, said this Memorial Day was especially emotional for them, as were the Dec. 7 celebrations, since Hander was in combat training at the time. They await Handler’s return in October. 

“As sad as I am, I have a lot of pride in what he does,” JoAnn said. “I’m scared for him. I just keep remembering what they told us—if no one shows up at your door, it’s a good day.” 

While some experience the perils of war today, others recounted their experiences in the past with some fondness. Alfred D. Carlsen, a Korean War veteran and resident of Towaco, served as bell ringer during the ceremony, dressed in his full army attire. 

At 24, Carlsen was the “old man of the unit,” who served 30 miles behind the active lines but was in the combat area. He was first drafted, then rejected for medical reasons, then sought service himself after receiving medical attention for his punctured ear drum.

“I was working in a bank as a teller, and I said to myself, is this all there is?” he said. “The idea of serving…it’s always a mix, and in the mix was adventure.” 

Overall, he, like others in the crowd, enjoyed the ceremony and its importance in celebrating Memorial Day.

“It was pretty good,” Walter Bringsauf, Korean War veteran and member of the Color Guard said. “Not too long, we usually have to burst Frank’s chops to keep it short. The weather was not too hot, either.”