Remembering those who served

SHARON — This year’s Memorial Day service was particularly poignant for many Sharon residents, as they remembered Ray Holst-Grubbe, a veteran who died in February.

Holst-Grubbe had for decades been an integral part of the town’s service and was much missed this year. Master of ceremonies Bob Loucks recalled Holst-Grubbe’s life. His granddaughter, Alison, sang several songs (as she has done for many years). And his three sons helped to raise the flag that fluttered over the well-attended service at the war memorial Monday morning; their father had raised the flag in Sharon for many years.

In his speech, Loucks also honored one of the “senior†veterans of Sharon, Jacob “Jake†Shoifet, an aviator who took part in the bombing of Midway on Christmas Eve 1942.

The featured speaker this year was retired Marine Donald T. Welsh, who served in Vietnam as a young man and remained with the Marines for another two-and-a-half decades. He served in many countries, including the United States, Japan and Norway.

Welsh compared the war in Iraq to Vietnam, saying both are unpopular wars. But, he said, “patriotic Americans and veterans do not question whether the war is popular or not.â€

In Vietnam, he said, the enemy at the time was believed to be Communism. The enemy today, he said, is terrorism.

“The war in Iraq is the unpopular part of the battle against terrorism. But I believe that any war that brings down brutal dictatorships and gives an opportunity for freedom and democracy is a just cause.â€

As he spoke, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts skittered around the grassy area surrounding the war memorial, and older folks sat or stood and listened and pondered.

As “Taps†was played at the end of the ceremony, one young veteran in full dress uniform discreetly wiped his eyes. It was a reminder that, for those who lost friends in combat, “Taps†is more than just a tune.

Prizes were awarded to the most beautifully decorated bicycles.  Katie Seabury and Robert Murtagh each won an American Eagle silver dollar  — and they got to push the remote control button on Brian Wilcox’s camera. His grand photo of everyone attending the ceremony can be found online at connecticutphoto.com (the password is Sharon).

Thanks were also bestowed on the Girl Scouts, who offered free water to any dehydrated adults (and collected the empties after the ceremony ended); and to the Lions Club, which handed out free flags.