Long Valley 6th-Grader, Boy Scout Reflects On Memorial Day Ceremony

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Among the several people watching and participating in Washington Township's Memorial Day Ceremony was a middle schooler who was taking it all in just like everyone else.

Joe Macones-Hernandez, a sixth-grade student at Long Valley Middle School and a Boy Scout in Troop 36, watched on at Rock Spring Park Memorial War Site as the service unfolded.

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Joe observed the ceremony, which included words from the keynote speaker, retired Major Anthony DeStefano, and walked away with several key takeaways.

Joe shared his reflection of the ceremony and the importance of Memorial Day with Patch. Here are his remarks below, unedited:

"I attended a Memorial Weekend veterans recognition at Rock Spring Park as part of my Boy Scout Troop 36. Along with other members of my troop, we were surrounded by firefighters, police officers, and retired veterans who attended to show their respect for veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country.

Several veterans spoke about their experiences and what Memorial Day means to them. Two veterans showed the official way to fold an American flag in the triangular manner while explaining what each fold means.

The keynote speaker, retired Major Anthony DeStefano, is a veteran who was part of the Signal Corps and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Major DeStefano told the story about how the Navy´s fleet of “tin cans” and “small boys” (both were affectionate names for naval destroyers) battled up against the massive fleet of Japanese warships in World War Two.

Major DeStefano spoke about Commander Ernest Evans, who, upon seeing the massive Japanese fleet, commanded his ship straight at the much larger Yamato. Despite having much smaller 5-in guns vs the Yamato's 18-in cannons, Commander Evans and his crew began attacking relentlessly and did not stop until all of their guns were destroyed and the critically damaged. Sadly, Commander Evans did not survive the battle.

As Major DeStefano reminded us, this is the kind of bravery that allows us to live our lives in safety today. Veterans who sacrificed their lives to defend our country are who we should be honoring and remembering on Memorial Day."

Joe Macones-Hernandez