Posted on August 13, 2010 in Books by admin
A year ago I wrote a blog titled “A Soldier’s Heart Never Dies” about how the US soldiers bravely escort the remains of their fallen comrades home for proper burial. In the article, I mention that my Dad, Anthony Marchese, was a soldier in the Army during World War II. This blog is dedicated to his memory. I give you “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation”
My Dad passed away on July 24th of this year.
On Monday, August 2nd, 2010 my family and I buried my Dad. He was 87 years old. During his wake he was visited by respected dignitaries: Commander of the Catholic War Veterans of Woodside, of which they presented Dad with the ‘Deceased Medal of Honor’, the President of my Kiwanis club, Bob Kueber, former State Senator Serf Maltese, among others. Ten years ago, the Senator along with Mayor Mike Bloomberg decorated my Dad and other veterans of World War II with long awaited medals of honor for their service to the country.
The rites began with a final prayer led by the Funeral Director James, upon which I led the prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as this was my father’s favorite prayer. My brother Anthony and I, together prayed and held our father’s hand for the last time. “I love you Dad,” we said over and over again, our final moments with him. My heart was pounding in my chest. A great cry wanted to be expressed, but for some reason it would not break.
Before the closing of the casket, my children, Andrea and John, gave their grandfather a rosary created with red tea roses. The flowers were wrapped around Dad’s neck to be with him for all time. Anthony and I created memory posters of our life with Dad and placed them by his side. His nameplate was fashioned to the foot of the sarcophagus and then locked forever in eternal sleep. At that moment his life was now finished. In my heart, I knew he would live on there forever. My bother and I assisted in draping the American Flag over his casket.
We then proceeded to St. Sebastian’s R.C. Church in Woodside where Fr. Gerard said a mass of Christian burial in honor of Dad. At the end of mass, we briefly eulogized our Dad. The chapel was full of family and old friends, it was great to see so many people had come out to say farewell. Council Member Elizabeth Crowley took time from her busy schedule to attend the mass, she honored my Dad and my family.
Taps began to play in Calverton National Cemetery and when all was done, Officer Willis with flag in hand pivoted on his heel, and took three steps toward me. I was about to stand, but he knelt right in front of me and placed the flag on my lap saying these words “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation I give you this flag in honor of your father.”
“On behalf of a grateful nation” I repeated to myself through tears, my heart soared with bittersweet pride for my Dad. I barely heard the priest say the final prayers as my mind kept thinking of the words “On behalf of a grateful nation.” Yes Dad, on behalf of a grateful nation indeed, and on behalf of a grateful daughter. “Thank you and I love you with all my heart.”
Angelica Harris was born April 23rd in New York City from a diverse European Family. She attended William Cullen Bryant High School where her love for writing was ignited by her schoolteachers before she attended Hunter College where she majored in Liberal Arts and Theatre. Angelica has always had a passion for Medieval History, especially the Arthurian Period. She is the author of titles The Quest for Excalibur (her first book revised in 2005 with her editor, Andrea Howe), and Excalibur and the Holy Grail. In 2004, Angelica partnered with Corey Blake, President of Writers of the Round Table for the development of her third book, Excalibur Reclaims Her King. 




