Media Memorial Day 2022 just ended and featured a parade of antique cars, fire trucks, military vehicles, the Penncrest Marching Band and the Media Little League. It was followed by a moving ceremony which remembered those who died to keep America free, along with tributes to Ukrainians fighting to keep their nation free.
The ceremony was emceed by Media Mayor Bob McMahon, a Vietnam veteran.
Retired Army Major Patrick Creed, who had returned the day before from the Ukraine where he spent 70 days assisting that nation’s military, spoke of the heroism of the Ukrainian soldiers.
Father Daniel Troyan of Holy Myrrh-Bearers Ukrainian Catholic Church described the overwhelming response by Delaware County residents when it became known that his parish was collecting relief for the embattled nation. He also noted human traffickers are targeting Ukrainian refugees, notably if they are women and children traveling without a husband and father.
Alexandra Kurlowicz, a member of Holy Myrrh-Bears and the daughter of Soviet-era refugees from the Ukraine, spoke of the nation’s long history of suffering.
Bill Lovejoy, commander of Clayton T. Smith-John M. Howard American Legion Post 93, paid tribute to Gladys Mae Martin, long-time post member who was active in the Pennsylvania Veterans Museum, 2 E. State St., Media. Mrs. Martin died, May 26. She was 99.
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa5) told how she was the daughter, sister and granddaughter of veterans, and showed the Gold Star medal her great-grandmother was presented when she went to France after World War I to visit her son’s grave.
State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-165) paid tribute to her husband who served two combat tours.
Also speaking were Delaware County Vice Chairwoman Elaine Schaefer and State Sen. Timothy Kearney (D-26).
Ashli Rice performed beautiful renditions of patriotic hymns.
Father Dan sang the Ukrainian national anthem, also beautifully.
It would be nice if Ds such Scanlon and O’Mara would honor our military the other 364 days of the year by not actively promoting a Communist agenda. Their words ring hollow. Their actions speak loudly.
You don’t get to be Patriotic one day a year, for the cameras. You either represent, love and defend America and her People or you don’t.