The True Meaning of Memorial Day for Yorktown

For a lot of people, Memorial Day is a nice three-day escape from the routine or a way to kick off summer.

But Memorial Day is a solemn day to remember the men and women who died serving our country and fighting for our freedoms. 

Al Laughlin, who served in the Vietnam War and is currently a member of the in Yorktown, said people should not forget the ultimate sacrifices service men and women made.

One of them was Yorktown's own  who died on Feb. 28, 2011 while serving in the U.S. Army. in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. 

 was  as a hero and as a man who made people smile and brought laughter into every situation.

Laughlin said Yorktown brings a big crowd to the (held on May 28 at 11 a.m.), but he thinks the number of people who come out to honor the fallen men and women should be doubled.

"I think people forget too quickly the sacrifices," he said. "[Fahey] had no life and is gone and he did that for them."

For Patrick McDonough, a Yorktown resident and former Marine, the traditions of Memorial Day have been a part of his life since he was 3 or 4 years old. His father's brother died of injuries he sustained while serving in WWII. Although he never knew his uncle, Memorial Day was a way to pay respects to him. 

"Everyone here knows a family that has been affected one way or another," McDonough said, including military members who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

"People should be very proud of them because every single person is a volunteer," Laughlin said. "There is not one person who is over there and doesn't want to be there. To me that's the greatest honor this country has – when you have people who are willing to make that commitment and serve their time. Personally, I am very proud of the people who are over there." 

Here is what Yorktown residents had to say about Memorial Day and what the day means to them:

Yorktown councilman Vishnu Patel (whose son Amit, 2008 USMA graduate served in Iraq and daughter Amy, 2005 USMA graduate served in Iraq and Afghanistan):

• Memorial Day is intended to honor our fallen heroes and (s)heroes. We should remember the young men and women still serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the globe keeping the freedom alive. All gave it some and some gave it all. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country served with honor and gave their life for the same cause. We will always carry you in our hearts and mind.

David Humphrey, whose brother-in-law Jim passed away 6 years ago 

• He was much older than my wife and was disabled in Vietnam. The Jim I knew was very passive and sedate but much of that was due to his very serious injuries incurred as a result of a friendly fire mishap that left him near death in a field surrounded by dead comrades. His life was never the same and he died early due to complications from his injuries. It was always hard for me to listen to stories of his youth and imagine it was the same Jim that I knew. But of course, he wasn't the same person. I expect I will have a much more personal connection with Memorial Day in the years to come since my daughter is training to be accepted into Marine Officer Training School – I just hope it will be one of pride and not sorrow.

Al Laughlin, served in three branches of service for a total of 32 years – Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force. He served in the Vietnam War and is currently a member of the American Legion:

• "It's a day to honor the people who made the sacrifice for what we have today. Yes, we celebrate it because we are veterans but it's the people who aren't here to celebrate it that mean the most and that's why we do it every year." 

Patrick McDonough, former Marine who was deployed to Japan and Korea and is currently a member of the American Legion:

• We all went in the service at the same time. Most servicemen and women came home, married, had kids and grand-kids. Some made huge contributions in industry and in their jobs. They coached their kids sports and got involved in Scouts or with their churches. In other words they had fully blessed lives after returning home. Those who died in the wars never got the chance to do any of this. That is what we mean when we say 'they made the ultimate sacrifice.' The gave up their lives for us. Not just the breathing physical ones, but everything they would have enjoyed and accomplished throughout a long life with family and purpose.

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