Tag: fallen

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Memorial Day: Thousands ‘Carry the Load,’ attend in-person events to honor fallen heroes

Memorial Day: Thousands 'Carry the Load,' attend in-person events to honor fallen heroes

North Texans pay tribute to fallen heroes for Memorial Day

Across the country, it has been a day of solemn tributes to the men and woman who paid the ultimate sacrifice. FOX 4’s Alex Boyer reports on some of the tributes here in North Texas.

DALLAS – Thousands of people took part in an event in Dallas meant to remind people about the meaning of Memorial Day and who it honors.

Carry the Load began over a decade ago as a small march around White Rock Lake. Now it’s a worldwide tradition with five relays spanning much of the country to honor fallen heroes.

Those who took part all arrived at Reverchon Park in the Turtle Creek neighborhood of Dallas on Monday. Many carried the names and faces of loved ones killed in the line of duty.

“I think everyone needs to remind themselves what Memorial Day means. Bring it into their lives, bring it into their children’s lives,” said Stephen Smith, who walked through the night.

RELATED: Carry the Load helps people honor fallen service members for Memorial Day

For Pauline Perez, this year is personal.

“I could’ve been the reason my family is out here continuing the tradition,” she said.

Perez is a firefighter with Dallas Fire Rescue. On Sept. 21 of last year, she nearly died.

She and the crew of Truck 25 responded to the Hidden Hills Apartment Complex for reports of a gas leak. She was badly injured in the explosion.

RELATED: Dallas apartment explosion injures 8, 3 firefighters in critical condition

“I still have sleeves and gloves on my hands to protect myself from the sun but to be able to be out here and be able to talk and to be able to honor the heroes and put their lives on the line means a lot to me,” Perez said.

She continues to improve and said she is grateful to her brother who motivated her to get out and walk for her mental and physical health.

Since it started, Carry the Load has raised more than $32 million to support programs for veterans, including mental health services and help for the families of fallen service members.

Carry the Load event pays tribute to fallen service members

It’s a holiday but for some veterans and others its already been a long night and morning. FOX 4’s Dan Godwin talked to several people taking part in the annual Carry the Load event at Reverchon Park in Dallas.

At DFW National Cemetery, it was the first time the public could pay their respects in person since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jimenez family was among the large audience who took part in the memorial service which included a wreath laying.

“We’re here to pay respects to our nation and those who have passed and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Teresa Jimenez, whose father was in the Army.

The 638-acre cemetery has conducted more than 75,000 interments of veterans and eligible dependents. Sadly, more will follow.

“It means a lot to see this huge turnout to pay respects for those who have fallen for our country,” said Osario Rodriguez, a member of the U.S. Navy.

RELATED: President Biden observes Memorial Day with ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

And at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Fort Worth, the public was invited to take part in a one-hour Memorial Day service. This too was in person for the first time in two years.

“We really need to come together to remember where we are, where we were and where we need to go,” said Carl Davis, an Air Force veteran. 

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Dearborn Public Schools honors fallen alumni in Memorial Day events

Dearborn Public Schools honors fallen alumni in Memorial Day events

Since World War I, 347 men and women soldiers from Dearborn have given their lives in service and their names are inscribed on Dearborn’s War Memorial.

People stand on stage
Dignitaries stand on stage as the Fordson choir sings. (Bob Ankrapp – For MediaNews Group)

“We are here to honor Dearborn men and woman who gave their lives in service to our country,” Dearborn Public Schools Executive Director Adam Martin said during a May 25 service. “Throughout its history, the residents of Dearborn have answered a call to serve. Its sons and daughters have been sent away to far away conflicts never to return. These individuals had courage, they had pride, they loved their families and community. They were willing to risk their lives so that we could live in peace.”

Students at Fordson High School researched three of those soldiers, one from each of three different wars, and gave a presentation on them at the school’s ceremony.

Shaun Wilson, an eight-year veteran of the U.S. Marines, served as the keynote speaker of the event. He is a seasoned strategic communication, marketing and business management professional with more than 20 years of experience.

Lisa Lark, a former Dearborn Public School teacher and author of “All They Left Behind: Legacies of Men and Women of the Wall,” and “Gone Too Soon: Dearborn Remembers Its Fallen Heroes,” served as the event emcee.

American Legion Post No. 364 provided an honor guard.

Woman at podium
Lisa Lark speaks during the ceremony. (Dave Herndon – MediaNews Group)

The event, for the 10th straight year, was held in honor of Walter Kielb, a Marine private who was killed on June 22, 1944, during the battle of Saipan. He had a memorial erected in his honor, which was moved to Fordson High School in 2012.

School Board Trustee Hussein Berry and Korean War Veteran John Ruselowski spoke about Kielb, and why it was imporant to continue to honor him.

“To the thousands of men and women from Fordson High School, we acknowledge their heroism and express a sincere appreciation for the service and their sacrifices,” Berry said.

Years later, he said, the city dedicated Walter Kielb Park. Over the years, the park usage fell off and the memorial was damaged.

Ruselowski brought it to Berry’s attention and they worked together to move a giant rock to the Tractors football stadium and raise money for a new plaque that was dedicated in 2012.

Students stand in auditorium

Wilson called Memorial Day a “sacred occasion” that began when soldiers and newly freed slaves decorated the graves of Civil War soldiers.

“We have used this American Tradition to pay respect to those who didn’t come home,” he said. “They deserve our respect and to be honored.”

During his speech, Wilson used quotes from Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Martin Luthor King Jr., Calvin Coolidge and others.

Muhammad Ali Hahli presented on WWII soldier Gerard Antaillia. Xhiko Ahmeti presented on Korean War soldier Charled Dubas and Layan Sannan presented on  Vietnam War veteran Raymond Borowski, all of which didn’t make it home from their respective conflicts.

Man at podium
Hussein Berry talks during the program. (Dave Herndon – MediaNews Group)

Lark spoke near the end of the ceremony about her research into all of Dearborn’s fallen soldiers.

“They were just like you,” she said. “When you look, the city of Dearborn’s total of 347 names on the war memorial, their ages range from 18 to 32. They left behind mothers and fathers, and friends.”

When she first started researching, Lark said, she heard a story about Robert Benici, who had died nearly 50 years earlier.

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Remembering fallen officers: National Police Week events ahead

Remembering fallen officers: National Police Week events ahead

WAUKESHA, Wis. – National Police Week starts Sunday, May 15. But there are many events taking place locally before that. 

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department has not experienced a line of duty death since 1978 – when two deputies were killed by an inmate inside the courthouse. But it was three years before this tragedy that the widow of a fallen officer set out to make sure no one grieves these losses alone.

Karen Herbert’s husband, Summit Police Officer Robert Atkins Jr. and his partner, Wayne Olson, were killed in the line of duty back in 1975.

“We had just gotten married – we weren’t even married three months. Didn’t have the wedding pictures back,” Herbert said.

It left a hole in Herbert’s heart that has been filled by determination.

“You can say, ‘Oh, woe is me. How did this happen?’ Or you can say, ‘This is what we can do to make things better in the community,’ which is what I’ve chosen to do,” Herbert said.

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Every year since, Herbert has helped coordinate Waukesha County’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Ceremony. It will be held at Fox River Christian Church on Thursday, May 12.

“It resonates for me personally, and I think it resonates for all law enforcement officers and their families,” said Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson.

Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson

Severson said throughout this career, he has lost four friends in the line of duty. He keeps a commemorative badge of one, Grant County Deputy Tom Reuter, on his desk as a daily reminder.

“I knew that police officers would lose their lives in this profession, but I never thought that I would know one,” Severson said.

Milwaukee police will also hold ceremonies. At the Wisconsin Center on Thursday, May 5, the anniversaries of four line of duty deaths will be remembered – including the ten-year anniversary of Wauwatosa Police Officer Jennifer Sebena’s death and the 2019 death of MPD Officer Mark Lentz.

“We are here to serve the community, and it’s important to remember them for the sacrifice that they did and for their families to know they are not forgotten,” said Efrain Cornejo, Milwaukee police sergeant.

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For the first time in two years, because of the pandemic, the Annual Mass of Blessing will return to the Basilica of St. Josaphat on Monday, May 9. 

Police encourage the public to attend all the events. 

  • Greater Milwaukee Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony: Thursday, May 5, 12:15 p.m., Wisconsin Center
  • Mass of Blessing: Monday, May 9, 6:30 p.m., Basilica of St. Josaphat
  • Waukesha Co. Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Ceremony: Thursday, May 12, 6 p.m., Fox River Christian Church

Herbert said the show of support helps departments across the country heal.

“If you’ve never been to a law enforcement memorial ceremony – it’s really an honor to be there,” Herbert said.

At the Waukesha County memorial, organizers plan to list the names of all 615 law enforcement officers who lost their lives across the country last year – including those who died from COVID-19.