'Decoration day' at JWP

Janesville’s Memorial Day service took place at the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School auditorium on Monday morning. Guests were greeted at the door by Janesville Scout Troop 89, who served as ushers and handed out the programs. 

The program began with a few words from American Legion member Bob Carda, who recounted the history of Memorial Day observances, which date back to the Civil War era “Decoration Day.” Memorial Day gained its current name in 1967 and became a national holiday in 1971, to honor all of those who have died in service of the United States Armed Forces. Carda served as an announcer for all subsequent occurrences at the service. 

His remarks were followed by the Posting of the Colors by members of the Janesville American Legion Post 281. After the American flag was stationed at the front of the auditorium, the audience joined in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. “The Star Spangled Banner,” was then performed by the JWP band under the direction of Mr. Adam Hille.

The invocation was provided by Pastor Sarah Krolak of Faith Lutheran Church of Janesville and North Waseca Lutheran Church. She led a prayer for both fallen soldiers and their loved ones, “to whom this day is a burden.”

Next up was Janesville Mayor Andy Arnoldt who greeted the crowd, but said that on this day of remembrance, it was time for him to “listen more and talk less.” 

2023 JWP graduate James Bleess read Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address,” which was followed by the JWP band’s performance of “Salute to America’s Finest.” That song was composed of the themes for each branch of the armed forces. Allie Hanks then read General John A. Logan’s 1868 order calling for a day of remembrance for Civil War dead. This order provided the basis for Memorial Day as we observe it today.

This year’s guest speaker was Purple Heart recipient Jason McNamara, who served in the Army during the Iraq war starting in 2004, until being wounded two years later. McNamara was born and raised in Mankato, but has lived in Janesville with his family for the past four years.

“Speaking on behalf of the fallen is very near and dear to my heart,” said McNamara as he began telling his story. On March 13, 2006, during an assist mission, members of McNamara’s unit were ambushed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while inside their truck. 

After the attack, McNamara recalled not knowing whether his legs were actually attached to his body, or only still inside his pants, as he had lost feeling. His unit encountered explosives a second time as they tried to escape the carnage and bring their injured to safety.

McNamara soon lost consciousness and woke up in a military hospital in Germany, where he was treated for second-degree burns, a traumatic brain injury, and fractured legs. At that time it was unclear whether he would be able to use his legs again, so McNamara was presented with the option to amputate them, but refused and managed to recover. 

McNamara revealed he was “hesitant” to tell his story; after all, he survived his service and Memorial Day is set aside to honor the dead. He decided to speak because he wanted to share with a general audience what a sacrifice being a member of the military really is. 

Speaking about the families of fallen servicemen and women, McNamara said “today is a day to remember their sacrifices as well.” Previously, he had spoken about another member of his unit who had died in the attack and left behind his wife and a child he never got to meet. 

McNamara’s speech was followed by a recitation of the poem “I Am a Veteran,” by Ann Carda. “In Flander’s Field'' was read by Eric Daschner.

The names of the deceased were read, followed by the playing of “Taps” by Eric Daschner on the clarinet.

After a moment of silence and reflection, “America The Beautiful” was performed by a quintet of musicians from the JWP band. 

Members of Janesville Scout Troop 89 then took to the front of the auditorium for the flag folding ceremony. The service was closed by another benediction from Pastor Sarah Krolak.

Soon after Janesville’s Memorial Day Service concluded, a 21-gun salute was performed by members of Janesville American Legion Post 281 in the street outside.

n Janesville

 from Page 3