‘Eternal thanks’: Hampton marks Memorial Day with remembrance

For those who could use a reminder about the purpose of Memorial Day, the longtime coordinator of Hampton’s annual remembrance provided ample edification.

“Eternal thanks to those that have served and passed on,” Hal English said in welcoming guests to the May 27 ceremony. “Eternal thanks to those that died at an early age on the battlefield so that all Americans can continue to enjoy our freedom.”

Retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Zachary Merritt offered a reminder that the loss of lives carries deeper context.

“Just as all of us are not defined by one thing, so, too, are they not solely defined by the uniform that they wore or the battlefield that they died on. They were brothers and uncles, sisters and aunts, parents to newborns and to those not born yet,” Merritt, the featured speaker for the May 27 event, said.

“Their contribution and service was cut short,” he continued. “But I believe that if they had not died while in uniform, we would still be celebrating their contributions today.”

He spoke at the invitation of American Legion Post 296, which organized the remembrance. English, a post member, served as master of ceremonies.

Other participants at the Hampton Community Center included Mark Hieber, the post’s commander, along with members of local Scout, Cadette, Brownie and Daisy Troops. Musicians in the Hampton High School Band, directed by Chad Himmler, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Taps,” “America the Beautiful,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and a “Marches of the Armed Forces medley.

Pelin Gurgin, a Rotary International exchange student from Turkey in 11th grade at the high school, shared her perspective regarding people who choose to defend their countries.

“One thing I see in common is the prestigious and hard job all soldiers have. I grew up in a family who have been soldiers for seven generations,” she said. “My grandfather was a colonel, and my dad served with the special forces for over 25 years. And I grew up listening to their stories.”

During his turn at the podium, Merritt told stories about his 10 years of active duty in the Navy — he spent much of it aboard the submarines USS Michigan and USS Alexandria — with a focus on how the experience continues to impact his life.

“The bonds of that time still remain and are foundational to my ability to do the things that I do today,” he said. “And they still provide a fair amount of grounding when my head gets too big.”

He spoke about the difficulties he faced with his assignment as engineer officer on the Alexandria, from which his predecessor, along with the executive officer and senior enlisted crew member, had been asked to leave.

“The ship was five months away from a deployment, and the crew was struggling to operate the ship safely. This is the moment to acknowledge that service is not always easy. My waking moments were focused on making my ship and my crew better, and my sleeping moments were haunted by things that could go wrong in the future,” Merritt recalled.

“But from this challenging gauntlet, we formed an incredible team that trained hard and supported each other through challenges.”

What he learned in the military, he said, is applicable across the spectrum of service:

“Whether we choose to spend our time in the armed forces, as a coach, a teacher or as a parent, there are many ways to serve, and many ways to remember our past and to pass along the lessons that we have learned to those just beginning their journey.”

He and his wife, Hannalore, moved to Hampton following his completion of duty in 2014. Zach has risen through the ranks at Duquesne Light Co., to his position as senior manager of business services.

To wrap up his Memorial Day address, he shared words from Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief who died at age 45 opposing U.S. expansion into Native American lands:

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion, respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

“His message of pride, togetherness and service,” Merritt said, “has always resonated with me.”