THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 24, 2024 Page 9 A reader’s perspective Memorial Day’s Echo of Days Gone By MEMORIAL DAY| FROM PAGE 7 ley spent most of his off time playing sandlot baseball or pond hockey, whatever the season. He and his best friends, John Faragi, Rich Salsman and Andy Penney, never missed an opportunity to get a game together just for the fun of it. My brother, Ralph, who was several years younger than Stanley, remembers how Stanley would always include the younger kids who were standing on the sidelines, and invite them to play – regardless of age or talent – always insisting that everyone should have “their turn.” Ralph never forgot that act of kindness. Susan Campbell, a cousin REMEMBERING A HERO: This sketch is of Arthur Frederick DeFranzo (March 20, 1919–June 10, 1944), who served with the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant. He was a recipient of the U.S. Military’s highest decoration – The Medal of Honor – for his courageous actions in World War II. Arthur died a hero in action in Vaubadon, France. Saugus VFW Post 2346 Is named after him. (Sketch by Joanie Allbee) By Joanie Allbee M emorial Day was declared a National Holiday in 1971 – a day set aside in the three-day weekend to reflect and honor Military personnel who died in battle. We place flags and flowers on graves of our heroes at rest. Often, you will see poppies worn on the left side of people’s lapels close to the heart. On Memorial Day, the poppies silently serve as reminders of yesterday’s war and fallen soldiers. The wearing of the poppies is due to Lieutenant Colonel Dr. John McCrae’s Poem “In Flanders Fields.” Dr. McCrae served on the front lines in World War I In Flanders Fields. He saw how thousands of poppies grew amidst the dead soldiers’ graves and tragic battleground. The doctor penned the poem and campaigned successfully to have the poppy as a symbol of remembrance; to remember our fallen. The redness of the poppy serves to remind us of the bloodshed during the war. The day’s main focus is to honor those who died serving our country and to cover their graves with flags and flowers. It is not the time, like on Veterans Day, to thank those who served or who are serving; or to wish a “Happy Memorial Day.” It’s a day of wishing a Meaningful remembrance and honoring those who died in service to our Country. To quote Thomas Campbell, “To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.“ Memorial Day is a time to remember with gratitude filled hearts. The Chaplain’s Handbook expresses with condolence a Soldier’s prayer: “Almighty and Merciful God, we remember before You in this moment our departed comrades. We recall with reverence the good deeds they accomplished. We honor those who fought a good fight for a just cause – comrades both in war and in peace who have served this Country with dignity and with honor. May they rest in peace.“ In the Army, there are no goodbyes; it’s “see you soon.” Wishing you all a reflective, remembering Memorial Day Editor’s Note: Saugus resident Joanie Allbee is a local artist and frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate. She is an author and longtime writer of articles for various publications – also known as “ THE SKETCH ARTIST.” and next-door neighbor, felt the same way about Stanley. Susan credits her cousin for teaching her how to play ice hockey. Years ago, the property next to the Egan home contained a brook, and in the wintertime, it made for great skating. Susan’s mother was not too keen on allowing Susan to skate, as she was quite young, but that did not stop Stanley. He found some skates for her and spent hours upon hours showing her how to skate, play hockey and shoot the puck. He taught her so well that in 1974 Susan was picked as a member of the U.S. ice hockey team of the Olympics. Unfortunately, it was the year the Olympic Games were boycotted, and the team never got the chance to participate. But she believes that it was Stanley who got her that far. Susan describes her cousin as being full of life and goodness and a true friend, who was always there for her. She remembers him for his love of friends and family and his love of God. “Stanley believed that each of us should live life to the fullest – to have fun while we’re doing it and be kind to one another and that’s what he left with me – those values,” she said. Andy Penney, a neighbor and fellow student, met him on the bus going to Oaklandvale School one day and remained friends for life. “Not only did he know how to laugh and have fun – he was also a hell-raiser just like the rest of us and it was all so innocent,” said Andy. Andy remembers the time he and Stanley snuck into the golf driving range next to Russo’s Candy House. They started filling their pockets with golf balls but before they realized it someone spotted them and accepted the chase. The boys had confiscated so many balls in their pants that they started to fall as they tried to run. They were eventually caught and turned over to their parents, not without receiving the well-deserved lecture and punishment. After high school, Stanley thought he might like to become a sports announcer, so he enrolled in Graham Jr. College. Several weeks into his studies he was given the assignment to interview a mother who had recently lost her son and inquired as to what she had to say. His professor pressed him when trying to get more details about the interview. His reply to his professor was, “What do you J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. think she would say?” He left the school after that. Shortly after leaving college, some of his friends decided to join the Reserves and suggested to Stanley that he should do the same. The war in Vietnam was taking its toll, and there was a great deal of unrest throughout the nation. Stanley, however, preferred to take his chances with the draft like his older brother George. On May 6, 1969, he received his orders. He was able to spend his last time at home on the 30day leave before being sent to Cambodia. His friend, John Faragi, was getting married and Stanley was so happy to be able to attend his friend’s wedding just prior to being shipped out. Andy Penney remembers talking with him the night before he had to leave. Stanley told him that, for some strange reason, he was concerned about his legs, but he did not know why. Andy will never forget that conversation. And as he kissed his mother goodbye the next morning, he told her he did not think he would ever see her magnolia tree blossom again. His mother never forgot that conversation either. Sadly, those premonitions came true when, after just one month of being in Cambodia, Stanley walked into a land mine that was set along two trees. Ironically, one of the soldiers who found him had an unbelievable connection with the Egans. The soldier’s dad was a close friend of Stanley’s dad and was a MEMORIAL DAY | SEE PAGE 14 S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping
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