‘Send me’: Palm Coast honors spirit of Memorial Day with reverence

U.S. Rep. Randy Fine and Palm Coast Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri addressed the crowd at Heroes Memorial Park.

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This year, it was personal.

As part of the City of Palm Coast’s annual Memorial Day ceremony at Heroes Memorial Park, the names of several soldiers who died in the service of their country were read aloud. It was the beginning of a new tradition.

“On every Memorial Day, let us say the names of the men and women who laid down their lives so that we may freely enjoy our own,” Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri said. “Let us carry their stories forward. And while our beautiful American flag flies at half-staff today, because of the selfless sacrifices of those who came before us, our flag will be raised again and fly high, not just in celebration, but in reverence. Let us never forget that freedom is earned again and again by every generation willing to stand up and say, ‘Send me.’”

She added: “To the families who mourn the loss of their own soldiers, may we remember that service doesn’t just happen on a battlefield. It happens at the dinner table with an empty chair. It happens when a mom tucks in her children alone at night. It happens in the long waiting, the quiet strength, and the whispered prayers.”


'A DIFFERENT KIND OF PLACE'

In addition to Pontieri’s remarks, U.S. Rep. Randy Fine also spoke, calling the United States “a unique experiment.”

“It's a country unlike any other in the history of the world, founded not by kings and not by emperors, but founded by people who wanted to create a different kind of place than had ever existed,” Fine said. 

“Let us remember that, for many, today is not a celebration,” he said. “It is a day of sadness, it is a day of remembrance for what they gave up so that the rest of us could have what we have. … What we do every day as a country needs to honor them.”


PERSONAL CONNECTIONS

After the speeches and music, performed by Melissa Trumble and Palm Coast Fire Dept. Lt. Patrick Juliano, the Treber family laid the first wreath. Tamila Treber’s husband is Sgt. James Treber, who died while serving in the Army.

Gambaro, a general himself, laid a rose in the park. He wiped tears from his eyes during the ceremony. He he was asked who he thinks of on Memorial Day, he said: “Capt. Shawn English.” A friend of Gambaro’s, English was killed in Iraq nearly 20 years ago. 

Gambaro said: “He was one of those guys where you think you’re pretty good, until you look at him and think: ‘He’s tough.’”

Also in the crowd was 4-year-old Freyja Brotherton. She stood with her father, Tyler Brotherton, an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the crowd put hands over hearts, she followed the example of those around her and did the same, and a new generation was taught what it means to honor those who have bravely gone before.


NAMES OF THE FALLEN

The following names were read at the Memorial Day ceremony by City Councilman Ty Miller:

  • Master Sergeant Michael George Heiser – United States Air Force;
  • Lance Corporal John T. Schmidt – United States Marine Corps;
  • Sergeant Zachary J. Walters – United States Marine Corp;
  • Corporal Raheen Tyson Heighter – United States Army;
  • Sergeant Luke T. Stanford  -  United States Army; 
  • Staff Sergeant Robert Steven Martin O’Neill - United States Air Force;
  • Joseph Orsillo - United States Army;
  • Charles Chapman – United States Marine Corps.

The following names were read by City Councilman David Sullivan:

  • Sergeant Daniel Vasselian - United States Marine Corps;
  • Corporal Caleb Erickson - United States Marine Corps;
  • Lance Corporal Christopher Grant - United States Marine Corps;
  • Jay Hatfield - United States Air Force;
  • James M Treber - United States Army;
  • Lt. Frederick V. Stapleford - United States Navy;
  • John Matthew Ring - United States Navy.

The following names were read by City Councilman Charles Gambaro:

  • Colonel Lemuel Huston McCormack, Jr. - United States Air Force;
  • Chief Petty Officer Paul Daniel Fuller - United States Navy;
  • Benjamin Putnam Calhoun - United States Air Force;
  • Peter J. Descartes Sr. - United States Air Force; 
  • Private Stephen John Uychich - United States Marine Corps;
  • Jeffrey Smithson - United States Army;
  • Arland Aden Osborn - United States Army.

 

author

Brian McMillan

Brian McMillan and his wife, Hailey, bought the Observer in 2023. Before taking on his role as publisher, Brian was the editor from 2010 to 2022, winning numerous awards for his column writing, photography and journalism, from the Florida Press Association.

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