Zelienople honors Tomb of Unknown Soldier with replica ceremony
ZELIENOPLE — A sea of patriotic community members gathered to remember the sacrifices of lost servicemen and women at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier replica Saturday in Zelienople’s Four Corners Park.
The traveling tomb made its last stop in the local borough with a parade Friday afternoon. It will be retired after July 5.
Adel Fatur, event organizer and member of Zelienople Historical Society, said her idea to bring the tomb replica quickly grew to include the ceremony.
“Everyone wanted to be involved,” she said. “It’s about the sacrifices all veterans made for us so we could live in freedom.”
The ceremony began with two World War II reconnaissance planes flying overhead, a presentation of the colors by the Bantam Marines, a patriotic poem reading and a keynote speech by Dennis J. McMahon.
McMahon served as a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C., from 1987 to 1988. During that time, he performed more than 500 shifts in front of the Tomb.
He explained the importance of the guard and its mission.
“Think past the guards, and think about the tomb,” he said. “A soldier never dies until they are forgotten and tomb guards never forget.”
During his speech, McMahon said the soldiers walk 21 steps in front of the Tomb, face Washington, D.C., for 21 seconds, face the Tomb for 21 seconds and walk back 21 steps.
“Twenty-one is the military’s highest honor,” he said. “There’s a World War I unknown, a World War II unknown … but it’s about every individual that has been lost and America’s promise that we won’t forget them.”
Attendees stood and sang “God Bless the U.S.A.,” waving their flags overhead. They were then invited to lay flowers or wreaths next to the tomb replica.
Eugene Wise of Fenelton is a Coast Guard veteran who served from 1965 to 1969. He said his favorite part of the ceremony was the playing of Taps.
“I still can’t get through it without crying,” he said. “All the way back to the Revolutionary War, they’re all our brothers and sisters. I hope it brought a tear to everyone’s eyes. It makes us proud to be Americans.”
He added that he appreciates Butler County’s patriotism.
“All veterans sacrifice. No matter what your branch or duty is. By that I mean, you give up your family life. It’s a totally different way of life that you’re giving up. You’re giving up your normal,” he said. “I wish we didn’t have war of any kind. Any veteran will tell you that. What we want is peace.”
