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Tampa Bay Times
Safety Harbor American Legion remembers U.S. military personnel killed in combat
By Douglas R. Clifford,
2024-05-27
Incoming commander Bob Allen tends to the tolling of a bell for the Reading of Departed Comrades during American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, 2024, in Safety Harbor. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
SAFETY HARBOR — At Monday’s Memorial Day observance at the Safety Harbor American Legion, incoming commander Bob Allen rang a bell that echoed dozens of times through the silent room, tolling once for each person named in the ceremonial Reading of Departed Comrades.
The somber ritual was observed by more than 100 people who attended to share memories, reflect and mourn those who died in combat and Legion members who served but who have since passed on.
American Legion Post 238's commander Bob Matheson, center, performs the Reading of Departed Comrades as incoming commander Bob Allen tends to the tolling of a bell, right, during the post’s Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]From left: Post 238 members Ryan Nadig, David Conkle and David Henderson listen to the Reading of Departed Comrades while attending American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Members of Boy Scout Troop 413 observe the Pledge of Allegiance while participating in American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Cassandra Grainer of Safety Harbor kisses her daughter, 2-year-old Annie Joyner, right, while attending American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Jamie Walsh of Safety Harbor was there to remember her brother, Master Sgt. Baldemar Gonzales, who Walsh said served three tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Army. Walsh said Gonzales was one of four Fort Hood soldiers to take their lives in three days in 2010, the result of post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Today is for remembering my brother, what he gave this country, to never forget,” Walsh said.
A picture of Master Sgt. Baldemar Gonzales, who served three tours of duty in Iraq with the United States Army, is displayed during American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Cheryl Adams of Clearwater, left, holds a folded American flag during American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]Cheryl Adams of Clearwater, left, and Bob Allen of Palm Harbor, right, tend to the folding of the American flag during American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
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Dee Touhey of Clearwater plays Taps during American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
Safety Harbor’s post received its charter in 1962 when it joined more than 12,000 American Legion posts throughout the United States that offer support to war veterans from the seven branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard and Space Force.
The patriotic organization provides scholarships for the children of members and aid and assistance to local needy veterans and their families. It also supports community programs and projects, according to Legion Commander Bob Matheson.
Lori Veness of Oldsmar collects trays of roasted pork for American Legion Post 238's Memorial Day Ceremony [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]The American flag is flown at half-mast outside American Legion Post 238 during their Memorial Day Ceremony. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times ]
The first national observance of Memorial Day, on May 30, 1868, was proclaimed by Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War, according to his Memorial Day Order archived with the National Cemetery Administration.
Since the Civil War, more than 650,000 Americans lost their lives fighting in conflicts, including the Spanish-American War (1898), World War I (1914-1918), World War II (1939-1945), Korean War (1950-1953), Vietnam War (1955-1975), Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991), Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2010), Operation Enduring Freedom (2001-2014), Operation Inherent Resolve (2014-present), Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (2014-2021) and Operation New Dawn (2010-2011), according to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Since 1971, the holiday has been observed on the last Monday of May.
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