Memorial Day in our 250th Year

By Brian Nelson, Editor

The first national observance of Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) was held on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery to honor Civil War Union soldiers. Proclaimed by Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the date was chosen specifically for blooming flowers. Specifically, to decorate the graves of Civil War dead with May flowers. After World War I, the day was expanded to honor all American fallen soldiers, and in 1971, it became a federal holiday celebrated on the last Monday in May.

These tributes and first-person accounts come from the hard work of the authors, but particularly the dedication of Gerry Kurth who was singularly instrumental in their production. And so Jerry will have the honor of introducing our writers:

Honoring Our Neighbors: A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice

By Gerry Kurth

As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, we wanted to take a moment to look right here in our own backyard. Our neighborhood is home to some incredible people who stepped up when their country called, and their stories are as moving as they are diverse. We invite you to grab a cup of coffee and read through these personal accounts from our neighbors—they’re a powerful reminder of the courage and heart that built the community we share today.

A Century of Combined Service by Tom Smith Tom traces a remarkable 100-year thread of service within his family, starting with his Uncle Gus, a pioneering Coast Guard pilot who flew some of the world’s first rescue helicopters. From his father’s persistence in joining the Army during the Korean War to his own 25-year career alongside his wife and children, Tom reflects on how the military “inflicts maturity” and creates a legacy of neighbors serving neighbors. Read here: LINK

From Curb to Cockpit by Frank Delzingaro Inspired by a victory parade when he was just eleven, Frank spent twenty-six years in the Air Force flying everything from low-altitude scouts to massive B-52s. It’s an honest account of a neighbor who chased a childhood dream through two wars and eventually found peace right here with us. Read here: LINK

The Boys from Maine by Ralph Churchill Ralph tells the story of his dad and four uncles—ordinary guys from northern Maine who traded their tools for rifles and ships during World War II. They saw the world and faced incredible danger, yet they came home to live quiet, hardworking lives without ever asking for a “hero” label. Read here: LINK

• My Family and the Wars by Diana Christakos Diana’s family history reads like an epic, spanning from a daring escape from Nazi-occupied Greece to her mother serving as a midwife in a refugee hospital. It’s a beautiful tribute to how a single family’s resilience across generations helped shape the freedoms we enjoy in America today. Read here: LINK

The Sergeant’s Son by Gerry Kurth Gerry shares the heavy but vital memories of his late neighbor, Frank “Blacky” Blackston, a tank commander who survived the brutal push into Germany in 1945. This story is about more than just combat; it’s about a deep bond between neighbors and the importance of finally giving a voice to a lifetime of silence. Read here: LINK

In addition, in the spirit of “Memorial”, I am including here links to two previous personal Memorial Day stories involving Marsh Creek veterans. Click on the links in purple

The Late Marine Corps Sgt. (Ret) and esteemed CIA officer, Ron Estes – It’s OK to shed a tear on Memorial Day

Distinguished Service Cross recipient, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret) Stephen Lawrence – “What Does Memorial Day Mean?”

And our last entry, is a first person account of a 2019 trip to the D-Day beaches of Normandy, and a remarkable encounter with a WW2 veteran at the US Cemetery at Colleville-Sur-Mer. His name is Sgt. (Ret) George F. Reitmeier. Take a moment to watch our introduction to George below.

Memorial Day 2022

Wondering about George, I recently searched and found his daughter online. Mary Beth Moss revealed that George returned to Normandy last year for the 80th D-Day anniversary. George rode on top of a tank, and at 99 years old, declared “I feel like a kid again”.

George Reitmeier passed a few weeks ago (May ’26), just before he would turn 101 in June. One of the last of the heroes and veterans of World War Two.