Veterans Reflect on Fallen Friends

For many Americans, Memorial Day is a day meant for relaxation, trips to the beach and backyard barbecue.

But for the segment of the population who has served in the military, it’s a day of solemn reflection.

Veterans from recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and conflicts as far back as World War II gathered Monday for a ceremony at the veterans memorial in Odenton and reflected on those that were left behind on the battlefield.

“It hits hard for me, because I had friends die in Iraq,” said Brian Lenhardt, an instructor at the Defense Information School who played the bugle during Monday’s event. “This day, it runs deep. It’s personal." 

For some older veterans, it was a day to reflect on decades of service, and involvement in military campaigns all over the globe.

Carlo DePorto joined the army as a teenager in 1939. Now 90, he called military service an “addiction.” He served in the Pacific during World War II, then continued in service during the Korean and Vietnam wars as a medical assistant. In all, he spent 57 years as a member of the Army or state militias.

“I’m not a hero, I just did my job,” DePetro said. “Everybody’s addicted to something. Ever since I was a kid, I was addicted to the military. I loved the military.”

He said that on Memorial Day he grows frustrated at the lack of attention paid to fellow soldiers who died in service.

“Look at today—most people are worried about hot dogs and hamburgers and pickles,” he said. “But it’s a day when we should honor the dead. You honor them. I disagree with Memorial Day sales … all stores should be closed. We should appreciate the living, but let’s make sure we appreciate the deceased ones, or the ones in the hospitals. They’re the heroes.”

Michael Neary, an Arundel High school junior and the senior patrol leader with Boy Scout Troop 755 in Odenton, directed Monday's ceremony. As a scout, he worked on construction of the veterans memorial in Odenton and said it was important to remember the signicance of Memorial Day.

"You know you hear about war on the news, you hear about it on the radio, but unless you're actually there, you don't get the full effect of what some of the soldiers went through and what some of them died for," Neary said. 

Calvin "Art" Burton joined the Navy shortly after he turned 18 in 1944. He served in the Pacific during World War II and continued service in Japan during the Allied occupation.

“It was very enjoyable at times, but other times, not so much. Like when you had whistling charlies going over top of you,” he said.

Burton said he considered himself fortunate to have avoided injury during the war, though he did battle a case of malaria for more than 15 years.

“I was lucky,” he said. “On days like today, I think of all the fallen soldiers.”