Scranton on Memorial Day: Pausing to remember the fallen
SCRANTON — At Monday's Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Park, Master of Ceremonies Bill Stevens began his remarks reminding those attending of all the things Memorial Day is not.
The holiday, he said, is not simply a chance to kick off the summer season with mattress sales, a cookout or the opening of your swimming pool.
Instead, it serves as a day to remember the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who died in military service to their country. Its meaning he said, is steeped in honor and sacrifice.
'These people had an impact on the entire world.' he said. 'Remembering them is a small, but important, gesture.'
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Military veterans cheer during a Memorial Day event Monday at Veterans Memorial Park, Scranton, (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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Area residents salute the American flag at a Memorial Day service Monday at Veterans Memorial Park. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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Boy Scout Rhys Otto, of Boy Scout Troop 16, leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance at a Memorial Day ceremony Monday. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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Bill Stevens, Master of Ceremonies for Memorial Day services in Scranton Monday, addresses the crowd. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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A crowd gathers at Veterans Memorial Park Monday to commemorate Memorial Day. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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David Ratzel and Billy Ratzel, stand near a memorial wall at the city's Veterans Memorial Park Monday. The two are family members of Wesley Ratzel, who was shot down over North Vietnam in May of 1972. His remains weren't returned to his family until 1989. He was honored at the Memorial Day service, along with other veterans who lost their lives in service. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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Military veterans salute the American flag at Memorial Day services at Veterans Memorial Park Monday. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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Military veterans cheer during a Memorial Day event Monday at Veterans Memorial Park, Scranton, (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
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Remembering a local hero
Capt. Wesley Ratzel, a graduate of the former Scranton Central High School is one of those men, Stevens said.
Ratzel was a member of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Da Nang, South Vietnam. On May 18, 1972, he was the pilot of a McDonnell Douglas Phantom II Fighter on a mission near Kep, Ha Bac Province, North Vietnam, when his plane was shot down.
But, North Vietnam didn't let America know if he was alive or dead. For 17 years, his family believed he was a prisoner of war.
Vietnam didn't return his remains until December 1988. It took another six months before U.S. military officials confirmed the remains were his and they were returned to his family. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Ratzel had always wanted to be an astronaut and to fly a plane. His military service as a pilot allowed him to fulfill part of that dream, Stevens said.
His brother, David Ratzel, placed a memorial wreath at the monument reading — Those who gave their all. Forever remembered. — before addressing the crowd.
He encouraged attendees to take time to thank veterans for their service to their country.
Elizabeth Saylor, Wesley Ratzel's niece, remembers when her uncle went missing — she was in second grade.
The family would not find out he had died until Saylor was about to get married. It was a great burden for all those years, she said.
Saylor said the family found out only weeks ago her uncle would be honored.
She credits Stevens with making it possible.
Including the next generation
Stew Thorp, assistant leader of Boy Scout Troop 16, brought scouts out to the event as a support to the community.
One of the scouts raised the American flag. Another led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The scouts took time to interact with veterans and members of the community, even handing out the event's programs.
'We always want to help,' Thorp said.
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