Heroes and Heat for VFW Memorial Day Ceremony

Unlike some years when Mother Nature sent rain, the bright sun and morning heat greeted the crowd as they began their Memorial Day morning, Monday, May 26, 2025, at Palms Woodlawn Cemetery. The annual event from Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) ARRANT-SMITH POST 4127 and the VFW Auxiliary is supported by the Military Affairs Council (MAC) and others to honor veterans interred here at home and to remember those who lie instead far away, such as in the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach, a pivotal landing site of the Normandy D-Day Invasion.

Becky Jones, whose brother served in Vietnam and introduced her to the American Legion post, where she had been a member for thirty-two years, rarely misses attending. “I do it in honor of all fallen veterans. It’s nice to see everyone turn out.”

Homestead City Manager Zerry Ihekwaba and Homestead Police Chief Mario Knapp were among City staff who attended as Mia Devane represented Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. Boy Scout Troops 20, 69, and 418 provided support as always, along with Civil Air Patrol cadets, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and members of the Homestead Police Explorers.

Matt Ochmanski, incoming Commander, VFW Post 4127, and Jason Nimark, re-elected to John G. Salley American Legion POST 43, opened the ceremony by welcoming all and expressing appreciation to the day’s sponsors. The solemn acts of raising and lowering the American flag to half-mast, playing the national anthem, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and offering the opening prayer by the VFW Chaplain set the tone for the morning.

Homestead Councilmember Tom Davis’s remarks included a quote from General George Patton. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” In the essence of the quote is recognition that whether from the ultimate price of combat or the final days of a life lived well beyond service, the memories and meaning are not forgotten. Councilman Davis also acknowledged the sacrifice of Gold Star families. In a family that includes veterans of World War I through his own time in Afghanistan, he closed with, “What a patriotic and caring display today, and that’s what Homestead is.”

State Representative Kevin Chambliss was not alone at the podium when he made his comments. “I just want to come out and commemorate today.” His son stood proudly beside him. “My son is six, and this is his first time to be here and lay flags.”

Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne McGhee, representing District 8, attends as often as possible. “We face two options,” he said as part of his comments. “Ask what we could have done or look forward to what we can do to honor them.” He reiterated that Miami-Dade County is the most veteran-friendly county in the state, and earlier this month, a monument dedicated to Gold Star Families was unveiled at the Miami-Dade Military Museum as the 141st memorial in the country.

In continuing with the familiar ritual, there was the promise, “As long as two comrades survive – so long will the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and the American Legion render tribute to our heroic dead.”

This year, women of the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries carried out the wreath and rose ceremony. President-elect of the VFW and President of the American Legion Auxiliaries placed the red, white, and

blue wreath in front of the Veteran’s Monument, and turn, others placed a white rose for purity, red for those who have fallen in defense of the United States of America, and blue for eternity on top of the monument.

For the first time, the symbolic “Riderless Horse” was led past the monument to the sound of a recording of the traditional 21-gun salute. Crystal Schnebly was invited to the ceremony and offered to bring her horse in keeping with a tradition that dates back to the late eighteenth century. The haunting notes of “Taps” and “Amazing Grace” closed the formal part of the ceremony. Volunteers were given small American flags and dispersed to add the flags to the veterans’ gravesites.

Everyone was invited to later come to the VFW for lunch. The Homestead Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Auxiliary Post Arrant-Smith 4127 is located at 601 NE 2d Road, Homestead; (305) 245-4535; vfw4127@yahoo.com