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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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Reservists honor Memorial Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Among the uniform tombstones in a western New York cemetery, present-day American Servicemembers were seen honoring their fallen brethren with a simple, yet powerful act.

Airmen of the 914th Airlift Wing helped place small American flags at the graves of hundreds of war dead interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York on Memorial Day 2011. It's a scene many past and present day war veterans are honored to witness each year.

This was the 2nd year Airmen from the 914th Security Forces Squadron volunteered for this detail.

"[914th SFS members] are always looking for opportunities to volunteer for ceremonies like this," said Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Tech. Sgt. Lynn Magistrale, a 914th Security Forces Squadron support staff non-commissioned officer.

One veteran who in the past had to hide his service expressed pride at the fact that the views on the American military have changed dramatically since he left a war zone in the 1970's.

"I'm a Vietnam vet, and when you came home from the war, you didn't want people to know you were a Vietnam veteran," said Mr. Wayne Sorrentino, a retired Naval Commander and current public relations director of American Legion Post # 21, the 40 and 8 Club. "But now, it's great to see veterans from all wars display their pride...It's great that we have all these volunteers here," he said. "They do a great job and decorate the graves with the flags beautifully."

Sergeant Magistrale stated that she is looking forward to honoring these fallen veterans annually; something that all veterans can appreciate.