Correction: Memorial Day remembrance at Eco Park in Cape Coral is set for Sunday
A Memorial Day remembrance will be held at Eco Park 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, hosted by Pfc. Michelle Sisco Rosenberger at the Iraq Monument on 2061 SE 24th St. in Cape Coral.
The newly constructed Merchant Marine and Navy Armed Guard monument will be dedicated as well.
“This is a day to remember our fallen military members and pay tribe to them,” said Rosenberger.
Among those to be honored will be fallen Army Pfc. Greg Goodrich, who died April 9, 2004, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Goodrich was part of a fuel convoy from the Bartonville-based 724th Transportation Company that was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, accruing to the Defense Department.
His dog tags will be added to the monument in Eco Park.
Another fallen hero to be remembered is Army Major Brent Taylor, who died Nov. 3, 2018, during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan due to an “insider attack.”
Taylor was on his fourth deployment, having served in Iraq twice before and Afghanistan in 2012.
Rosenberger plans to have his widow place his dog tags on the monument later this year.
“Retreat and To The Colors” will be performed by Richard Osman, USAF A1C. Posting of the Colors will be done by the Cape Coral Police Department Honor Guard.
The national anthem will be performed by A’Layahna Checo, Cypress Lake High School Center of the Arts graduate.
Mayor Joe Coviello will read a proclamation, and Chaplain John Petriska will serve as chaplain.
Other guest speakers will include U.S. Army CWO2 Mike Giallombardo, U.S. Army Sgt. Mike Dreikorn, U.S. Army LTC Christopher Crowly and U.S. Merchant Marine Dave Yoho.
A 21-gun salute will be done by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Taps will be performed by Richard Osman, USAF A1C.
The Merchant Marine memorial in Eco Park will feature a Ship’s Bronze Wheel (or propellor), a granite memorial stone, plaque and U.S. Merchant Marine flag.
The granite stone inscripture will read: “A memorial to all who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and the Navy Armed Guard. ‘In Peace and War.'”
It will also detail the lost lives of 6,839 Merchant Marines, as well as the 1,810 lives of Naval Armed guardsman, accompanied by an image of a Liberty Ship.
These pieces, along with engineering and site design, all were donated by local businesses.