PORT ANGELES — Honoring the fallen on Memorial Day is second nature to retired Gunnery Sgt. Thomas W. Flanik.
His whole family has revolved around the Marine Corps since he joined in 1958.
“I met my wife in the Marines when she was on active duty in 1963,” he said.
My oldest daughter joined in 1986 and retired in 2007, and my youngest joined for 4 ½ years in the 1990s.”
Flanik and his wife, Vera, said the holiday has grown more important as time goes on, knowing more and more men and women who have sacrificed their lives for freedom.
“Oh, yes, we’ve known many,” Flanik said.
Flanik, who served as speaker at the Port Angeles Veterans Center ceremony on Monday, said he was proud of his family.
“My wife and I never pressured our girls to go in,” he said.
“They always just felt that it was their duty to serve.”
Added Vera: “We’re just a Marine family.”
The Memorial Day event drew about 100 people to hear Flanik speak on the background of the holiday and spend some time honoring those who sacrificed their lives in wars.
Flanik focused on the historical perspective of the day, which, he said, started out as Decoration Day after the Civil War, when the graves of fallen soldiers were decorated.
The 25-minute program was hosted by Mount Olympus Detachment No. 897 of the Marine Corps League, of which Flanik is a member.
Robert P. Willson, detachment chaplain, gave the benediction, asking that God grant “comfort and solace to the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives to service and the hope of a joyful reunion lasting all of eternity.”
Wrapping up with the traditional “Taps” and a 21- gun salute, the attendees were then served up treats by the Veterans of Foreign War Post 1024 Ladies Auxiliary.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
