April 2019

Page A12 APRI L 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A As the prepared service concluded, those gathered left with a feeling of gratification that their presence honored a life otherwise unremembered. Peter Tuttle , a Marine Corps veteran that served on the rifle guard for Mr. McCue, told WBUR radio in Boston, “Every time I go to one of these, I’m standing around holding my rifle and I do wonder, when my time comes, if there’s gonna be anyone around to do it?” Calvin Perry , an Air Force veteran from Andover told WBUR, “Just another guy down. We’re running out of [WWII] veterans. This was one that landed at Normandy and has five battle stars. It’s a worthy day to show up and honor him.” Dewhirst & Boles Funeral Home of Methuen, MA performed the services and ensured that this almost forgot- ten son, husband, veteran and friend was remembered. His obituary appears on their website and this man with no fam- ily has approximately 125 messages of condolences. Here are a very few: Mistress Carrie/WAAF: “Mr. McCue, though we have never met, I am saddened by the news of your passing. I was also told that you have no living family to mourn your loss. Our nation only exists because of brave men and women like you. Thank you for your service. You will not be forgot- ten.” COL (Ret) Michael M. Tallman, US Army: “Carrie, I agree 100% with your sentiment. It was a great service with perfect weather and an amazing group of “family” in atten- dance. No Veteran, regardless of age, is without family.” Richard and Patricia LaPointe: “Thank you for your ser- vice to our nation. You are truly part of the greatest genera- tion our country will ever know. Your dedication to duty and your self-sacrifice will forever bond you to a unique group who chose our nation’s needs before their own. With prom- ised prayers for you, Jim and your dear wife Margaret. Rest in Peace knowing your memory will be eternal.” I will let this be the final quote: “They say you had no fam- ily, but you did. All of us that you so bravely defended. Rest in peace, sir. Now it is our turn to defend the family of our great nation, in the honor of your name.” –Rita Observations A Not Forgotten Man “What I write about is not war but the courage of man.” –Cornelius Ryan, The Longest Day This veteran left no survivors. The cemetery thought no one would be there for this soldier’s funeral. “It’s beautiful,” said Army Sergeant Peter Rooney , as he looked at the over 500 people gathered at the graveside services for James McCue . Rooney had lost both of his legs in Iraq in 2007, but he made the effort to attend the final services of fellow veter- an McCue, who had no one to mourn his loss, everyone thought. Sgt. Rooney wheeled himself over to McCue’s casket and saluted. One veteran who gave his legs in one war to salute a veteran of another generation who survived five major battles in another war. James McCue, 97, of Lawrence, MA died at Cedar View Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. The word spread to the state level. Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Affairs Fran- cisco Urena learned of McCue’s death and put out a notice to anyone who wanted to recognize McCue’s decorated service: to be there when no family will be is the honorable thing to do. Inspired by the attack on Pearl Harbor, James McCue enlisted in the Army. He served with the 438th Anti-Aircraft Battalion in the EuropeanTheater between 1943 and 1945. His tour of service included five major battles. One was on D-Day (“Operation Overlord”). McCue landed on Utah Beach to secure the Cotentin Peninsula. The port of Cher- bourg was worth the combat. The action began when the air- borne units arrived at 1:30 AM. Their success gave the infan- try the ability to go inland a few hours later. Casualties were relatively light: 197 killed and 60 missing. There were allied assaults on five beaches on June 6, 1944. 23,250 landed and 1,700 motor vehicles were on the soil. Utah Beach became the most successful one of the five allied beaches in Normandy. McCue also served in Northern France, Rhineland, Ar- dennes and Central Europe. By Steven Palmer Steven Palmer entered funeral service in 1971. He is an honors graduate of the New England Institute of Applied Arts & Sciences. He has been licensed on both coasts, he owned the Westcott Funeral Homes of Cottonwood and Camp Verde, AZ, where he remains ac- tive in operations. Steve offers his observations on current funeral ser- vice issues. He may be reached by mail at PO Box 352, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, by phone at (928)634-9566, by fax at (928)634-5156, by e-mail at steve@westcottfuneralhome.com or through his website at www.westcottfuneralhome.com or on Facebook. www.nomispublications.com Funeral Home & Cemetery News Contributors share insights and exchange ideas. B logs General Dwight D. Eisenhower sent the soldiers of D-Day with this message: “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people ev- erywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the de- struction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. “Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.” He ended with: “Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.” McCue was born and raised in Lawrence and worked for many years in the housekeeping department of Holy Family Hospital in Methuen. His wife Margaret preceded him in death. Later, he met Do- ris Sevigny, who lived below him in an apartment complex. The Boston herald reported, “Doris Sevigny, 91, had known McCue for nearly three decades. They were neighbors who ate dinner and played bingo together, and Sevigny moved into McCue’s nursing home three weeks ago.” The last part of his life was spent in Cedar View Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Methuen. The night before he died, he and Doris Sevigny played bingo. James McCue’s graveside was held on a cold and windy day at Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence. The crowd gathered reflected all ages, all demographics, young and old veterans, neighbors, parents and children. Citizens of towns frommiles around came to remember a man they didn’t know but that they did not want to be forgotten. Massachusetts Veterans Secretary Francisco Urena, himself an Iraq veteran, spoke. “You have turned out to say it matters. It matters to celebrate the service of World War II veteran. It matters to celebrate the service of someone who served and sacrificed.” “We can expand upon what that generation meant.” Urena continued, “They were selfless, they served honorably, they lib- erated several countries…and set the example for what it is to be a veteran upon returning to the United States.” A Catholic priest delivered the prayers of Commendation and a final blessing. Those assembled found it proper to sing “God Bless America.” The flag that had covered McCue’s casket was folded and pre- sented to Doris Sevigny. All she could respond was “Wonderful, wonderful.” Inventory Reduction Sale! Extra-Large Black Cremains Bag (13” x 15”) $200 for a case of 100 bags* That’s just $2 a bag, for a savings of 45% off regular price! Call 651-450-7727 or visit UrnBags.com to order. *Our extra-large size is perfect for the plastic human urn, while supplies last. Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home Reopens after Fire The Reopened Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home Kevin M. Lesjack fire, August 2018 Ribbon Cutting. (L to R) Front Row: Peyton Jeannette, Owen Lesjack, and Reed Lesjack. Second Row: Eric Jeannette, Sara Jeannette (holding Lucy Jeannette), Krista Lesjack, Kevin M. Lesjack, Mayor Christopher Glinton, Melissa Lesjack, Barbara Lesjack, Robert Lesjack, Jill McGraw, Rev. Brian Clarke, and Paul Dougavelo. Back Row: Tyler Lesjack, Joanie McGuire, Christopher C. Calvey, John Bednarczyk, Robert Jeannette, Rosemary Jeannette, Alice Scotchlas, Joseph Scotchlas, Mary Ann Wilks, and Phil Wilks. FOREST CITY,PA— Kevin M. Lesjack, fu- neral director and owner of the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home announced the re- opening of the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home at 513 Main Street, Forest City. An August 2017 fire destroyed four commercial buildings in Forest City, PA. Continued on Page A15 www. n om i s p u b l i c a t i o n s . c om Send Us Your News! PO Box 5159, Youngstown, OH 44514 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Fax 1-800-321-9040 info@nomispublications.com