Memorial ceremony felt personal to her

Dear Village of Arlington Heights, and all who were involved with the Memorial Day Ceremony at the beautiful new Memorial Park: Thank you for remembering and honoring Arlington Heights’ fallen heroes with the solemn special ceremony, memorial wreaths, engraved bricks, and park for them.

I attended representing our family, being the niece of Richard J. Adam, killed in World War II. In a way I felt like I was representing all the families of servicemen killed in World War II since I was the only family member there. I knew a couple of the families; my mother informed me she attended Arlington High School with eight of the 37 young men who died.

My uncle was killed when his troopship, the HMT Rohna, was bombed. There was no body, no remains, no funeral, and no memorial service. His mother, my grandmother, only received a sympathy card from church.

The Memorial Day ceremony was his memorial service of remembrance and honor that he never received. Again, thank you for your commitment to remember and honoring him and all of Arlington Heights’ fallen heroes.

Janet H. Sorensen

Palatine