Hundreds gather at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies for Memorial Day service
Jim Fike of Trafford spends a quiet moment at the grave of his son, Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. Fike, who died in Afghanistan in 2010, before Memorial Day ceremonies at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies on May 28
Maj. Gen. Lewis Irwin, deputy chief of the U.S. Army Reserve, gave the keynote address at the Memorial Day program at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies May 28.
Hundreds gathered at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies May 28 for the annul Memorial Day service at the site in Cecil Township to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation’s freedom.
“It is a privilege to be here to observe the most solemn and sobering national holiday,” said Maj. Gen. Lewis Irwin, deputy chief of the U.S. Army Reserve.
While the cemetery in Cecil Township is a special place for Irwin because his stepfather, Carl Maggi, is buried there, he said there are other veterans of the armed services laid to rest there who perished in the service of the nation.
Irwin said the numbers are staggering of those who gave their last full measure to protect our freedom, with a million losing their lives in battle. He told the story of one soldier he knew who lost his life during his second tour of duty in Iraq almost a decade ago.
Irwin came to know Erick Foster at Duquesne University where the young man was a student.
Irwin is a professor at the school in public policy and government. Foster was commissioned two weeks after graduating from Duquesne.
“He loved being an Army Ranger,” Irwin said.
“He was a skinny kid from the North Hills. He treated women with dignity and respect. He wanted to get married one day and have kids.”
But, Foster knew freedom was not free and was committed to the ideals of our nation, Irwin said. Foster was a captain, assigned to the 1st Squadron, 73rd Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper when he was killed in August of 2007 in Balad, Iraq, when his unit was attacked by insurgents.
“He was the kind of leader who would (buy) equipment with his own money for his soldiers,” Irwin said.
Irwin said his wife, Marcia, works with Foster’s mother.
“The family was devastated,” Irwin said. “But they were proud of his service.”
Irwin said each veteran who died in the line of duty has a similar story. He said they all have family and friends who lament their loss.
State Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, said she is starting to understand how military families feel after her son joined the U.S. Marines. He is currently in boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. “I can’t imagine what it is like for Gold Star families,” she said. “God Bless you for your sacrifice.”
U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, noted it is a solemn day.
“As a nation, we come together to remember all who gave their life for our country,” he said.
State Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Jefferson Hills, urged people to take the day and honor those who gave their lives.
“Serve others, whether it is helping an elderly neighbor cut their grass, in memory of those who gave their lives for freedom,” he said.
Chaplain Michael Wurschmidt of the VA’s Pittsburgh Health Care System said it is a day to remember the great men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in laying down their lives for our nation.