WWII airman celebrated at Memorial Day ceremony in Poland
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POLAND -- Except for the ball cap he wore, it was difficult to tell that Leo Gratz had served his country in two major wars, let alone that he also received at least a pair of distinguished awards for his service.
"I was a navigator on a B-29 (Superfortress heavy bomber), and I served in the South Pacific," Gratz, 98, of Poland, remembered.
The longtime veteran had served from January 1943 to June or July 1946 in the U.S. Air Force. For his service in World War II and the Korean War, Gratz, who reached the rank of second lieutenant, received the Distinguished Flying Cross Award and a Bronze Star.
He also was the recipient of the three A's: accolades, appreciation and applause -- all of which he got in abundance during the 93rd annual Poland Memorial Day Parade and program Monday, for which he was a grand marshal.
Conducting the somber event in Riverside Cemetery was the Poland-based Sons of the American Legion Mahoning Valley Squadron Post 15.
After his time in the military, Gratz worked as an accountant for the former Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., recalled his daughter, Patty Kalasky, of Struthers.
"He didn't talk a lot about the military, at least when I was growing up, but I'm very proud of what he's done," said Kalasky, who attended the ceremony also with her brother, Jerry Gratz.
Jerry Gratz's son, Jerry Gratz Jr., served about three years as a U.S. Army Airborne Ranger, Kalasky continued.
Jeff Vrabel Sr., Sons of the American Legion's national vice commander, told the crowd of veterans, elected officials, parade members and others that most who answered the call to serve did so to help the nation maintain a strong defense. They also desired to assist fellow comrades, fight for America's core values of God, family and country, and to see children grow up in a strong and free nation.Vrabel explained.
"They are the guardians of our freedoms," he said.
Vrabel also read aloud the names of the 11 U.S. Marines, one sailor and one soldier killed in a terrorist attack in August when a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a Kabul airport gate as U.S. troops were searching for evacuees preparing to flee. The attack killed at least 170 others.
He also asked attendees to pause for one minute beginning at 3 p.m. Monday to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice as part of a National Moment of Remembrance.
The keynote speaker was Judge Anthony Donofrio of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, who reminded the crowd that most of those who committed themselves to serving the nation volunteered to do so faithfully and were fully aware of the inherent risks. Nevertheless, it's impossible to completely prepare families, friends and others for news they had died, he said.
"Nothing can fully prepare a loved one for that knock on the door," the judge added.
Donofrio noted that an estimated 82,000 military personnel remain missing from every conflict dating back to World War II. Efforts will continue to locate them, he continued.
One way to honor the contributions and sacrifices of the fallen is to remember what they did and what they stood for, even though they may not be remembered by name, Donofrio said. He added that people tend to unify in times of conflict regardless of racial, political, religious and other differences.
In addition, Donofrio read aloud the names of the 24 Poland soldiers who lost their lives in combat beginning in World War I. He also noted that about 1,500 veterans are buried in Riverside Cemetery.
The event also included a moment of silence to honor the 19 students and two teachers who were shot to death May 24 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Robert Wilkeson, who taught American, world and Ohio history for 31 years in the Poland school district, was recognized. He was to be the event's 2020 grand marshal before it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rev. Kevin E. Marks, pastor of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church, said that other ways to remember and honor the fallen are to make choices from sacrifice and love. He also gave the invocation.
The parade began at the War Memorial Building Post 15 home on Cortland Way, where Squadron 15 conducted its annual Four Chaplains ceremony in memory of the four Army chaplains -- Revs. John P. Washington, George L. Fox, Clark V. Poling and Rabbi Alexander D. Goode -- who gave up their life jackets Feb. 3, 1943, on the sinking Dorchester Army transport in the North Atlantic so that the others might live.
The procession then stopped on the South Main Street Bridge, where a wreath was cast into Yellow Creek to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice at sea, before ending at the cemetery.
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