Remembering those who gave all

Dozens of people in Punta Gorda and North Port took time out of their day Monday to remember fallen veterans at Memorial Day ceremonies.

American Legion Post 254 First Vice Commander Issac White told North Port guests that while there are Memorial Day sales for 50% off cars and barbecue grills, a part of the day should be to remember those who gave all.

In Punta Gorda, before about 600 guests, U.S. Rep. Greg Steube had a similar message in remembering those who were lost in battle or became a prisoner of war.

Steube said the days is to remember the heroes like Patrick Daniel Tillman Jr., who played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils and four seasons in the NFL, and who left his life behind to serve as an Army Ranger. He served a several tours in combat and was killed in Afghanistan.

Steube and Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch both said 1.5 million men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military.

For resident Ken Randolph, it was his first time seeing the replica of the Vietnam Wall at Laishley Park in Punta Gorda.

Wearing a Vietnam Veteran hat, Randolph used his cell phone to scan the QR code to help him find the name of two people he knew who died in Vietnam.

“I replaced a man who died in Vietnam before I got there,” said Randolph who served from 1968-69 in the Army’s airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance program. “I also had a close friend who died there. We were fortunate that those were the only two who died. We were a small unit.”

Randolph said he’d never been to the wall, even though he only lives a few miles away.

“I decided Memorial Day was the right time to come pay my respects,” he said.

Memorial Day is also a time for Gold Star parents Mitch and Shannon Mesenburg to speak about the suicide rate among service members. The Englewood couple lost their son, Xinhua, on Jan. 5, 2019 to a self-inflicted gunshot.

The senior airman, who was stationed in Maryland, left a handwritten note that he texted his parents.

He said he loved them and his friends.

“He went on to say this is nobody’s fault,” Shannon told the Punta Gorda crowd. “’The stress life is giving me has finally broken my will to live …’ Sadly, when a service member dies from combat, service-related death, illness, suicide or an accident while on duty, the blue is covered with a Gold Star.”

While speaking to the North Port crowd, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sonia De Yampert, who served for 27 years, explained the importance of the flag and where “Old Glory” has been with American soldiers in combat.

The guest speaker, Inia Tunstall of the Ukrainian American Women’s League, spoke in North Port about the genocide happening in Ukraine.

“Russia is poisoning Ukraine,” she said at the American Legion Post 254-sponsored ceremony at North Port City Hall. “Thank God for America. Thank God for the help they are giving Ukraine to fight this war against Russia.”

To commemorate a longtime tradition at North Port Memorial Day ceremonies, the American Legion 254 President Pat McGee read “In Flanders Field.” Members gave away poppies for guests to wear during the service.

As he ended the ceremony, White told the crowd, “we won’t forget.”