Memorial Day, Dulaney Valley Gardens Will Honor Those Lost
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- Out of the 16 million people who served in the military during World War II, less than 700,000 remain alive now. Each Memorial Day, Dulaney Valley Gardens honors the living and the dead.
As Mike Schuh reports, one chair in the front row will be empty this year.
Naval Machinists Mate Henry Wolfe may have earned a bronze star but he didn't like to talk much about his time in World War II.
"A lot of horrible things he saw...I think he kinda wanted to protect us," said his son, Robert Wolfe.
He kept a war box and a diary. In it, he wrote about being bombed and about five major invasions.
"So I'm thinking he's 19 years old and he's doing all this, so it's just mind-blowing," said Wolfe.
But one day, about 15 years ago, he saw something on TV.
"Then HBO put out this series called Band of Brothers and he started talking a little bit more," said Wolfe.
About the same time he first attended Memorial Day services at Dulaney Valley.
"I think it made a big difference for him and made him more open about talking about it," said his granddaughter, Christine Fry.
And at the Memorial Day ceremony each year, as more soldiers died, he began moving forward, ending up in the front row.
"And he always looked so proud, teary-eyed," said Wolfe.
For 15 years, Wolfe and his family attended---but this year will be different.
"Dad was 92 when he passed on November 7 and actually was buried on Veteran's Day," said Wolfe.
So on Monday, his family will return to for the ceremony. Now they issue a challenge to us all.
"It's not about getting a cheaper car or buying a mattress or the sales. It's about thanking veterans and being aware of what they've done for you," said Fry.
That ceremony at Dulaney Valley Gardens will begin on Monday at 10 a.m.