Memorial Day Observance
My family's observance of Memorial Day. For us it was personal. My Uncle Fran was killed in WWII.
I come from a family of veterans, My father and two of my uncles served in the South Pacific in World War 2. My Uncle Fran was killed in the Battle of Peleliu. My Aunt served as a Wave stateside. Memorial Day was an important holiday for our family. My Dad would put on his uniform to march in the Memorial Day parade in Stamford, CT.
https://flic.kr/p/szsnbC My Dad's friend Ed Domagala and son are on the left side. I'm standing with my dad Tony Poltrack at the Stamford, CT Memorial Day parade in 1950.https://flic.kr/p/2oDpBGT Another Memorial Day parade taken at a later year. I'm standing next to my sister while my Mom holds my youngest sister. The boy in shorts is Ed Domagala's son. We both had grown a bit since 1950.
A Premonition
On the day that my uncle was killed in the South Pacific my grandmother awoke in Connecticut because she had heard someone at the door. That was the story that I was told and knowing my grandmother, I believe it. My uncle's death had a profound effect on the family as one can imagine. My grandmother was not the only Gold Star mother in Stamford, she was one of many.
Stamford, CT
https://flic.kr/p/tuE4zG My grandmother Emilia Poltrack is the third woman in from the right side, top rowhttps://flic.kr/p/2imzP8t My grandmother with her oldest grandchildren after the parade. She is wearing her hat with a gold star pin.
New Canaan, CT
Most of the family lived in Stamford, CT in the early years. I lived in Veteran housings for almost 12 years. My cousins lived in the nearby town of New Canaan, CT. They were always involved in Memorial Day observances as evidenced in this photo taken in the 1950s.
https://flic.kr/p/2j5GsN9 My cousin Mike in uniform, cousin Bob in red jacket, cousin Andee in green jacket, cousin Cynthia in blue jacket and cousin Sharrie in dark blue jacket. The extra kids were neighbors.https://flic.kr/p/2oDr8fH My cousin Marilyn teaches her younger cousins how to salute the flag. This photo was taken in 1966.
New Ipswich, NH
New Ipswich does a wonderful job of observing Memorial Day, However the observance is scheduled a week in advance of the official date. This is done so that our small town could secure the services of a band and color guard. We have two parades, speeches, decorations of the water and a reading of the names of the fallen.
https://flic.kr/p/t6FSZh Taps, New Ipswich, NH
