Editorial | In memory, in gratitude
As we all bemoan the price of gas adding costs to our long weekend, let us remember, if only for a moment, the real price paid this year ahead of the Monday holiday: The families of at least 13 American troops have joined the ranks of Gold Star families.
These 13 men and women — sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, dads and moms — died in service to their country as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Let us say their names, listed among the dead on the Department of Defense’s “Names of the Fallen:”
Sgt. Declan J. Coady, U.S. Army
Capt. Cody A. Khork, U.S. Army
Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, U.S. Army
Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, U.S Army
Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, U.S Army
Maj. John A. Klinner, U.S. Air Force
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, U.S Army
Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, U.S. Air Force
Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, U.S. Air Force
Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, U.S Army
Capt. Ariana G. Savino, U.S. Air Force
Capt. Seth R. Koval, U.S. Air Force
Capt. Curtis J. Angst, U.S. Air Force
We thank them for their service.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to their families, to their comrades in arms, and to all who love them.
Memorial Day says to these service personnel, and all who served and did not come home before them, you are remembered, you are missed.
Memorial Day says to the families of the fallen, we, as a country, share your loss, we are grateful.
We are eternally grateful.
As always here in veteran-rich Lee County, there are a number of ways to honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.
In Cape Coral, the largest event will be at Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery, which will hold its 45th annual Memorial Day service at 10 a.m. on May 25, in the Veterans Honor Garden at 950 Chiquita Blvd., S.
The event is free and open to the public.
Let us also highlight a dual event to be held again this year.
A special tribute to those who served on the USS Nimitz will be held here in Cape Coral on Monday.
The open-to-the-public event will take place at the Brotherhood of Heroes Military Museum & Library and will honor those who died aboard the ship that suffered a flight deck fire that resulted in 14 deaths. Forty-nine sailors were injured.
The remembrance will take place beginning at 11 a.m.
Refreshments will follow.
The veterans resource center is at 4522 Del Prado Blvd.
More details on these Memorial Day activities and more may be found in today’s Breeze or online.
We thank those who serve.
We again thank the families of the fallen. Such sacrifices should not, will not, go unmarked.
Breeze editorial