Honor the memory of a young Marine (06/26/08)

To the editor:

A few years ago, while serving as the public relations officer for the American Legion 5th District Department of Indiana, I had been directly and indirectly involved with a few honor guard ceremonies around the district.

The first was in a small community north of Kokomo, known as Bunker Hill, Indiana. Several were to follow, in towns such as Anderson, Kokomo, Upland and Marion. I knew it was just a matter of time before it hit closer to home.

The harsh reality of war simply dictates that, sooner or later, it will not be someone else's son or daughter who will be lost.

It is requisite upon us as a community to honor his memory and console the family, and perhaps most importantly, to never forget his sacrifice. Every year we go to the local cemeteries to perform Memorial Day honor guard ceremonies, for this very reason.

Ironically, as I first received the phone text message from his family and friends who were out at a local campground over the past weekend, I had just taken my two step-grandsons to a New York Yankee game, so they could see the Cincinnati Reds whip the Yankees 6-0 in the final season in Yankee Stadium.

As we left the stadium, I took a detour into Manhattan to show them a place where I had been several times before. I took my mother and a couple who visited to the top of two beautiful buildings that once were there, in the 1980's. To anyone who had never seen them inside and out, those two towers were simply breathtaking buildings in both interior and exterior appointment, and of course, stature.

As we stood there after the game Saturday afternoon, all that was left were two huge holes ripped into the very heart of Manhattan.

I left the site simply incensed with anger all over again as to what was lost there.

I sincerely thank the young Marine who gave his life, and his family for their sacrifice. His cause was just, and he served us all honorably and well. The fact that we had the freedom to enjoy a day of baseball in Yankee Stadium, we indeed owe to fine young men like him.

I honor his memory here and will continue to do so every Memorial Day until I am gone. We as a community should all do the same.

James D. Fulks III

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