27 May Roswell Remembers Memorial Day 2014
This is the seventeenth year that Roswell Rotary and the City of Roswell, my hometown, have jointly sponsored Roswell Remembers, a tribute to all our veterans and the men and women who are serving in our military today. Thousands of people come from all over the state to honor those who have served and to remember our fallen heroes.
It was a thrill to see that several of the World War II veterans who accompanied Roswell Rotary on the recent Honor Air trip to Washington DC were there.
Gold Star Families
In his opening remarks U.S. Congressman Tom Price reminded us of the Gold Star given by Congress since 1947 to families of members of the Armed Forces who have lost their lives serving our country. Before there were pins, if a family lost a loved one during war they would hang a gold star in their front window.
From the Heart
Lindy Fancher’s son thanks his Dad for his service to our country … from the heart.
One of the most anticipated segments of the program is the open mike when the podium is open to veterans and their families for tributes and reflections. This year’s speakers included an Air Force pilot who served in Vietnam. 40% of his unit was killed. Another was a young Marine who lamented that his fallen comrades would never get to know their children.
Then Frank “Lindy” Fancher and his son came to the podium area. Lindy just turned 95. He was at Omaha Beach, D-Day + 4, and fought in the horrific Battle of the Bulge.
My ears perked up when I heard his son mention that Lindy published a book in 2005! WWII: Through These Eyes is the story of Fancher’s years in the Army. You can read an excellent bio written by Carl Danbury, Jr. at the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge site.
After Lindy spoke for a few minutes his son Jim thanked his Dad for his service to our country.
That’s what the day was all about. We can never thank our veterans enough.
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