Paw Paw River Journal

The Empty Tomb

 At Arlington National Cemetery there is an empty tomb.  It was originally the last resting place for our Unknown Soldier from Vietnam. On Memorial Day in 1984 he was interred in there amidst a ceremony full of bittersweet memories.  There was a huge parade, as the remains of an unknown warrior from Vietnam were accompanied by an honor guard to Arlington Cemetery.

The honor guard, all spit and polish, represented the different branches of service.  All young, they looked curiously alike with skin head haircuts and solemn expressions.  Bystanders were teary eyed, and veterans along the way saluted the anonymous body in the casket as it passed.  Everyone there who had fought in a war… and those who had lost someone… you could see it in their eyes still… pain and suffering.

And something curious happened along the way. Outside the Capitol a group of Vietnam veterans gathered where the Unknown Soldier had lain in state for several days.   Dressed in camouflage fatigues, they tried to join the parade along with military bands and other organizations.  Police intervened, and once again officialdom ran smack into the wall of resentment from the grunts who felt it was just another denial of their rights.

After some negotiating, officials agreed that the veterans could bring up the rear. One mustachioed guy said, “That’s all right, it’s where we’ve always been… at the rear!” And thus they marched… with precision and enthusiasm… dressed in the same uniforms they had worn in the field, many sporting badges and other ornaments, some with beards and moustaches.  That may have been the day we began to heal our nation’s wounds from which we had been suffering ever since that unfortunate war.

At Arlington, President Reagan gave a moving speech.  In it he said, “…As a child, did he play on some street in a great American city?  Did he work beside his father on a farm in America’s heartland?  Did he marry?  Did he have children?”  At the conclusion he said, “Let us, if we must, debate the lessons learned at some other time; today we simply say with pride: ‘Thank you, Dear Son, and may God cradle you in his loving arms.’”

That was in 1984, and now since 1998 the final resting place for that unknown Vietnam veteran has been empty.  His identity is no longer unknown, and he is also probably the last one to be so honored… even though we have had wars since then.  But the day he was buried no one knew what was to happen later.  It was the family of Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie who brought the true identity of Vietnam’s Unknown Soldier to light.

They had not rested since he was declared Missing in Action in that war.  And they had been doing their own digging, in a sense… interviewing people who knew their son and husband.  They had pinned down the likely area where in all probability his airplane had crashed.  They believed the body of that hero who rested in Arlington’s splendor was their flesh and blood.  They would not rest until they persuaded the government to run DNA tests to find out.

The area where the wrecked aircraft was found had been treated much like an archaeological project.  The team sectioned off the area and began to dig and sift through the remains.  The body was taken to Honolulu.  There the identification process began at the lab.  Dental and skeletal records were checked.  And no positive ID could be made. It has only been since the 1990s that DNA testing has come into use.  So there was the candidate for entombment in Arlington’s beautiful setting.

In cases where many years have passed, a match for the remains can only be made with DNA from the deceased’s mother’s bloodline.  This was done with a bone fragment from the Vietnam Unknown.  And thus the body was identified as that of Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie.  His father had died in 1991, but Mrs. Blassie and the children had never rested until the body was identified as their son and brother.

In Meridian, Mississippi, a young woman watched the story unfold on TV.  This was the girl that Michael Blassie loved, but had not married.  They were together a year before he left for Vietnam.  Through later marriage, motherhood, and divorce she had kept his photograph in her living room.  Now as his picture came on the screen, she walked over to the set and placed her hand on his face.  Then she called his mother.

So in a solemn ceremony, the body of the no-longer Unknown was removed from its resting place at Arlington and reburied in the pilot’s home town.  The whole family is immensely pleased to have, at last, this closure.  And back at our most famous National Cemetery, the guard paces back and forth… keeping watch over our other Unknowns and the now empty mausoleum.

Most likely it will remain thus.  Now all servicemen and women leave a DNA sample… making it likely there will never be another Unknown.  But all of those who died, no matter where buried, rest for all time in most hallowed ground.  Many traveled half way around the world to do what they had to do.  This is the best, the quietest kind of heroism. It is one of the things that have made our country great.

And that, Dear Readers is my story for this Veterans’ Day… all part of the golden threads woven into the tapestry of life in our story book towns across the whole United States.

Watervliet District Library News

Library Park News

 Work on the Library Park is nearly complete. The brick walk-way is in place, awaiting the first batch of inscribed legacy bricks. Recognize the cherished people in your life with an inscription in their honor, and help create a legacy-walk treasure for the community, for years to come. Call or stop by the library for more information, 269-463-6382.

Activities

Cookies and Canvas – Monday, December 5 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.: Kids will unleash their inner artist at this fun painting class. Participants will follow instructions to create a painting of a reindeer. No experience necessary! Cookies and milk will be provided. The class is limited to 25 kids ages five and older. Children age nine or under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.

Parents’ Night Out – Friday, December 9 – 6:00-8:30 p.m.: Need an evening without the kids? Parents Night Out gives parents the opportunity to take a well-deserved break. Go out for a night on the town feeling confident that your little ones are safe and having the time of their lives. This incredible evening for your children will be filled with a variety of fun games, crafts and activities. Space is limited. Snack donations are appreciated. Registration is required.

Toddler Time – 30 minute class every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.

Story Hour is on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and on Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. – Children ages three to five are welcome to come for fun and educational times with stories, show and tell, and songs and games.

Yoga is at 9:00 a.m. every Monday morning and Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m.

Adult Coloring Night – Monday, November 28 – 6:30-8:00 p.m.: Prepare for an evening of creativity and relaxation. Come color and unwind while background music serenades and inspires; Refreshments, too (of course!). All supplies are provided at no charge. Already caught the coloring bug? Feel free to bring your own materials, as well!

COLOMA

100 years ago – 1916

 Pay envelopes were made out last week for 150 employees of the Friday Bros. canning factory. This shows that one sixth of the village population is employed at this local industry.

The Courier has received “Scripture Text Calendars” which are a fine work of art. Artwork in the national gallery of art at Washington is featured in this calendar.

Many parties of hunters have gone to the woods of Michigan to hunt deer. The Van Derveers, Polmanteers, Guys, Lorenzes, Kreitners, Willmengs are a few from Coloma.

60 years ago – 1956

 Election results in: Coloma has record vote as Eisenhower and Williams win.

Mrs. David Kliger and Mrs. William J. Schmidt have arranged for swimming lessons for their girl scouts. Girls will earn the Mermaid award through lessons at the “Y.”

Mrs. Ann Myirea was hostess to the Merry Widows of Lake Michigan Beach. They enjoyed a duck dinner, games and prizes.

Barry Leedy was host to six of his little pre-school friends for a Halloween party at his home. Decorations, games, Halloween treats and tots in costumes all made for a spooky party.

30 years ago – 1986

 Veterans honored at Washington School during a special program. Lou Rogers, World War II and Roy G. Leedy, World War I veterans, received an American flag lapel pin.

City commissioners offered a $100 reward for the apprehension of persons responsible for defacing the water tower.

We Asked You…How is education different from when you went to school? Barb Mileski says, “we deal with all-around service for children… School is more like a home.”

Hilltop Foods of St. Joseph and Coloma announce a Radio Shack Christmas savings sale. Dual-Cassette AM/FM Stereo, VHS VCR with wireless remote, 64K Color Computer, 10-Channel Scanner and more.

HARTFORD

100 years ago – 1916

 More brick paving has been laid on west Main Street, the surplus brick from the recent paving being utilized to complete the paving of the street intersection leading to the Pere Marquette depot and also in front of the Edward Finley elevator on the opposite side of the street.

The village council is negotiating for the purchase of a new chemical fire engine, which has been quartered at the local fire department since its demonstration at the county fair in October.

75 years ago – 1941

 The history of Hartford’s library was reviewed at an anniversary meeting at the library rooms last Friday evening and Mrs. Elnora Chamberlin, one of its organizers and for 43 years one of its most active sponsors, was honored as the community’s leading library worker. In the program reviewing the record of the institution Mrs. Marion Anderson recounted the beginning of the library 46 years ago when Rev. H.L. Potter, pastor of the local Methodist church at that time, became its first proponent. The plan was initiated with a “Reading Circle” that became the forerunner of the present Hartford Woman’s club. Mrs. May Deane, long active in the organization and librarian for the past several years, presented the library with a portrait of Mrs. Chamberlin.

Mrs. Volney W. Olds, also one of the original organizers, spoke on the activities that kept the library going in the early years. Mrs. Nellie Smith reviewed bequests made to the library, including the present library home from the estate of the late Mrs. Jennie Merriman, who was also active in the earlier life of the library

50 years ago – 1966

 Marine Sgt. William E. Deckard and his family recently spent a week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George E. Deckard of Rt. 1. He has been stationed at Paris Island, SC since Sep. 1965, and is to report to Camp Pendleton, CA, where he will stay until he will leave for Vietnam.

Pfc. Thomas D. Estes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Woodall is stationed 50 miles from Saigon. Estes is a 1963 graduate of Hartford High School. He is a medic with headquarters division, 54th Artillery group.

WATERVLIET

90 years ago – 1926

 A series of club dancing parties will be held during the winter months of 1926 in Watervliet by an organization of married couples of the city. The Home Dancing Club is the name of the organization which has just been started and it is expected to enliven the social life of Watervliet and vicinity with a dancing party at the opera house every two weeks. Membership in the club is not limited to married people exclusively.

A little daughter named Gertrude Sowser was born on Nov. 15, 1926 to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sowser.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Woodruff welcome the arrival of a 10 pound son at their home on Nov. 20, 1926.

60 years ago – 1956

 Donnie Finnefrock, Watervliet, who has recently received his honorable discharge from the service, is now teaching at Central High School, Kalamazoo.

Mrs. J.D. Nelson began work in the payroll department of the Watervliet Paper Co. on Nov. 12, 1956. She was previously employed in the offices of the Fidelity Insurance Co. of Benton Harbor.

Among the students at Michigan State University, whose names appear on the honor list for the spring term, 1956, was that of Jordan Tatter, son of Dr. and Mrs. Tatter. The students maintain a 3.50 or higher academic average for the term.

30 years ago – 1986

 Watervliet Ace Hardware owner Tim Freeburn has announced he recently purchased the former Boston Store on Watervliet’s Main Street. Freeburn told the Record he expects to move his hardware into the large building in early 1987.

The “Great American Smokeout” is in its 10th year. The event is sponsored by the American Cancer Society, but thousands of other organizations, businesses, schools and hospitals join the nationwide effort. The goal in 1986 is to get at least one in every five smokers to give up cigarettes from midnight to midnight on Nov. 20, 1986.