On Memorial Day, Selectman Remembers Veterans To Never Forget

Dedham residents gathered at Brookdale Cemetery Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Below are the remarks from Selectman Jim MacDonald:

On behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the Town of Dedham I want to welcome you to Brookdale Cemetery as we pause to remember our veterans who gave their lives so we could and can remain a free nation. Across our country, many will gather like we are doing this morning. They will talk about the history of Memorial Day and the importance of never forgetting. Stories of heroes will be shared, painful first-hand accounts of ordinary people doing extraordinary things during battle. Memorial Day is also a time when families also remember their loved ones.

Today, I am going to remember a few, all young men at the time that went off to war. My good friend Bill Podolski and a young U.S. Marine from Cape Cod. One a part of a distinguished family from Dedham that saw a young brother killed in battle and the other young man I have spoken about before from Yarmouth.

A little over a year ago, Bill Podolski passed away. He was a great, honest man and a loyal friend who over the years I got to know and respect. Bill was a terrific family man. I found recently a book written by Christopher Canavan, an Eagle Scout from Dedham titled “The Stories of Dedham Area Veterans”. I highly recommend it. Sen. Rush is also profiled in it. In it are Bill’s own words about his experiences. Bill had five brothers in the service during World War II and the Korean War. His brother Paul was a Bombardier Nose Gunner with the 392nd bomber group, 576 bomber squadron. His plane had been attacked by enemy fighters and the nose section had been set afire and only one chute was seen leaving the plane. Paul was reported Killed in Action on May 29, 1944, 74 years ago tomorrow. He is buried in the American Cemetery in Belgium. Even with the experience of having a brother killed in battle, Bill still joined the Army to follow in all his brothers footsteps. Bill was wounded twice. His words “The first time I got hurt was when an explosion blew up near the bunker I was in. It was a nightmare. Annie McGowan had to deliver the message to my mother and sister saying I was injured. After 30 days I was back in the field.” Bill was a very religious guy, so it wasn’t a surprise when he wrote” I’d walk 10, 12 miles to go to church. They would tell you where it was and you’d walk to Mass”. He even went to Mass offered by Cardinal Spellman in mountains of Japan on New Year’s Day, 1951 outside and it was 10 below zero.

Bill talked about meeting up with Archie DiVirgilio, a classmate at Dedham High, and going across Korea with him.

When Bill was wounded a second time, shrapnel in his back and finger. He was later flown back to Boston and went to the Murphy General, the army hospital in Framingham. It took a year to recover.

Bill said “I think your survive because of your family. I thought of my mother and father and my brothers all the time. When I was over there, all I thought about was coming home to Oakdale Square and hanging out by the mailbox.” Bill went on to work 44 years for the phone company and numerous positions on boards and committees in Dedham. He would not call himself a hero, but I will. Bill is buried here at Brookdale along with a lot of other veterans.

Nick Xiarhos was only 21 years old when died on the battlefield in the Garmsir District of Helmand province in Southern Afghanistan on July 23, 2009, while going to the rescue of his fellow Marines in combat. Nick fought for the freedom of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. He chose to make a difference in the world and was a true American Patriot. Two weeks prior to his death, his last words to his mother were... "Don't worry Mom, I'm living the dream." Those words would be in scripted on in grave marker at the Bourne National Cemetery.

A quote from his father, who I know and see every year at the Gold Star Family Christmas tree at the State House, Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steve Xiarhos, whose department is also morning the LODD of Sgt Sean Gannon, from a number of years ago: "I want to remind people that when they see a veteran, they should go shake his hand or buy him a cup of coffee. And when the national anthem is played at the ballgame, stand up and put your hand on your heart: Never forget that people have died for you and for that flag."

Nick is a hero like so many before him and we know so many that will follow him. He was only 21.

I am sharing just this brief snapshot of Bill and Nick so we never forget.

Remember also the many veterans who are in hospitals and struggle every day.

Remember the loved ones that are left behind.

May Bill, Nick and all those we remember on Memorial Day be in our thoughts and prayers today and every day.

God Bless them and the United States of America.

Image via Shutterstock