Aaron Lawn (at podium), commander of American Legion Post 217, speaks June 25 about Chester Chormann, who was 18 when he was killed in action during World War II, and whose name was added to the memorial, as Bob Loucks (left) of VFW Post 1136, World War II veterans Henry Piwowar and Richard Pastula, local historian Alana Paluszeski and Rob McLean, Chormann’s cousin, listen.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE – Downriver veterans honored 11 World War II servicemembers who died during the war, but whose names were not included on the original memorial, with an additional plaque bearing their names.
The June 25 unveiling in Bishop Park, sponsored by American Legion Post 217 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136, added the names of Billy L. Boyd, Hazen Branch Jr., Chester L. Chormann, Adolph E. Kalin, Louis A. Kwiatkowski, William A. Laffin, George P. Ostrowski, Jack V. Padgett, Ralph R. Shull, Floyd H. Stone and Clarence J. Zempel to the memorial.
Kassandra Johnson (right), a member of Downriver for Veterans, accompanies Richard “Pops” Pastula, a World War II veteran, during a June 25 veteran-led ceremony held to add 11 previously overlooked names of servicemen who died during World War II to Wyandotte’s memorial in Bishop Park.
Two World War II veterans, Henry Piwowar and Richard “Pops” Pastula, represented the greatest generation and were on hand for the unveiling.
Master of ceremonies Aaron Holtus, a past commander of American Legion Post 217, said the gathering honored the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
“Today we rectify the profound oversight by adding the missing 11 names to the bronze plaque, ensuring that their memory and heroism will be forever remembered,” he said. “May their noble deeds live forever. We honor them and we extend to them and their memory our deepest respect.”
Aaron Lawn, commander of American Legion Post 217, spoke about Chormann, who was killed in action at age 18 during the battle of Sundra Strait while serving on the U.S. Navy cruiser U.S.S. Houston.
“Chet loved his country and had a deep-seated sense of patriotism,” Lawn said. “So much so that just after his 17th birthday, he quit high school and enlisted in the United States Navy Sept. 12. 1940.”
Lawn said that from the American Revolution to the global war on terrorism, more than 1 million Americans “have made the supreme sacrifice.”
“They died so that we could continue to cherish the things that they loved: God, country and family,” he said. “This is why we are able to gather here to honor the memory of the fallen warriors who have given everything for their country.”
Mayor Rob DeSana said in March 2022, Rob McLean, a relative of Chormann, met with him, sharing his concern that his ancestor did not have a community recognizing him for his service.
“He had a country, he had a state, but he did not have a city,” DeSana said. “That stuck with me. Here’s a guy that gave his life for all of us, and didn’t have a city to call home.”
DeSana said McLean was aware of other servicemen with Wyandotte ties who died during World War II whose names should also be considered for placement on the monument.
A new plaque with the names of 11 previously overlooked names of servicemen who died during World War II is unveiled June 25 at the World War II Memorial in Wyandotte’s Bishop Park.
The City Council supported the goal on March 28, 2022, after which the mayor’s office formed a committee with members of VFW Post 1136 and American Legion Post 217, local historian Alana Paluszewski and McLean to research possible names for inclusion on the memorial plaque.
“Now we can say all 11 of these servicemen have a city, and it’s the city of Wyandotte, and we are proud to add them to the monument,” DeSana said.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-6th District), whose late husband, John Dingell Jr., served in World War II, said the men and women who served during the war were “the greatest heroes in the world.”
“They knew what that flag stood for, they knew how lucky we were to live in this country and what it meant to be an American,” she said. “They lied about their age, they wanted to go serve and they were our heroes.”
Veteran Bob Loucks (left) of VFW Post 1136 and World War II veterans Henry Piwowar and Richard Pastula salute during a June 25 veteran-led ceremony held to add 11 previously overlooked names of servicemen who died during World War II to Wyandotte’s memorial in Bishop Park.
Dingell said all of the country’s veterans, from every war, deserve appreciation for everything they have done.
“We have our freedom because of you,” she said. “It’s important today to remember them, to honor them, and Wyandotte will always make sure there is a home for any man or woman who served this country, loves that flag and remembers how lucky we are to be an American.”
Ray Lopez, Department of Michigan Commander for the VFW, praised American Legion Post 217 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1136 for helping ensure that no veteran is ever forgotten.
“As we gather here, surrounded by the solemnity of this rededication ceremony, we honor the memory and the history of our fallen heroes,” he said. “Their sacrifice is the bedrock on which our nation stands and it is our duty to remember and commemorate their service.”
Lopez said the true measure of the nation’s greatness lies in how we honor those who gave everything to ensure our freedom.
“It is through your collective efforts that we may pay homage to our fallen comrades,” he said. “As we rededicate this WWII memorial, let us recommit ourselves to the sacred duty of honoring our veterans and preserving the history they forged with their blood, sweat and tears.”
A color guard leads a June 25 veteran-led ceremony held to add 11 previously overlooked names of servicemen who died during World War II to Wyandotte’s memorial in Bishop Park.
Brian Martin, past commander of VFW Post 1136, said the memorial is a symbol of remembrance, resilience and the nation’s indomitable spirit.
“We come together to rectify a profound oversight from the past,” he said. “These names, like the countless others inscribed on the monument, embody the courage, valor and unwavering commitment to freedom that defined an entire generation.”
Martin said that during World War II, which was an unprecedented global conflict, men and women fought for the future of liberty itself.
“They left behind families, dreams and aspirations to answer the call of duty, to protect the freedoms we hold dear,” he said. “Today, we rekindle the flame of gratitude within our hearts that should never flicker or fade. We must take up the torch of their legacy and carry it forward, ensuring that their sacrifices were not in vain.”
Martin said the memorial serves as a testament to their bravery and a constant reminder of the price of liberty and the depth of our gratitude.
“Let us ensure that future generations, as they pass by this sacred place, will be inspired by the stories of heroism.
“Today we honor the fallen, we pay tribute to the past, and we embrace a future imbued with the spirit of those who gave everything so that we may live in freedom.”
A new plaque with the names of 11 previously overlooked names of servicemen who died during World War II is unveiled June 25 at the World War II Memorial in Wyandotte’s Bishop Park.
A veteran honor guard provides a gun salute during a June 25 veteran-led ceremony held to add 11 previously overlooked names of servicemen who died during World War II to Wyandotte’s memorial in Bishop Park.