America survives because of those who gave all

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky,

The larks, still bravely singing, fly,

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead; short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high!

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

— John McCrae

In his Memorial Day remarks last year at Arlington National Cemetery, Vice President Mike Pence underscored the importance of the selfless acts we observe with this solemn occasion.

“For this is the day that makes possible all other American days. Without it, without the sacrifice we honor at patriots’ graves from the four corners of our land and overseas, there would be no other American days.

“Words fail when heroes fall. So we do well on this day, each year, just to tell their stories and to let their words and deeds speak for them.”

Due to the current restrictions on large gatherings, the annual observances that would otherwise be held Monday by members of American Legion Post 250 have been canceled. Customarily, both at Bronswood Cemetery and again at the Memorial Building, the names of Hinsdale residents who gave their lives in service are read.

We invite residents to scroll through the names listed below on their own, taking time to ponder the sacrifices made by these Hinsdaleans and their families.

World War I

Dietrich Andorf, Malcolm Brown, Leslie Chandler, Henry Colton, Fritz Engel, Charles Galavan, William Geffert Jr., Edwin Henderson, Harry McAllister, Linus Ruth and Thomas Weddel.

World War II

Alvin Berg, George Brcik, Robert Cassels, William Cassels, Kenton Clarke III, Densmore Collins, William Cook, John Crossan, James Dicken, Frederick Dyas Jr., Samuel Elia, Paul Goveia, James Gordon Jr., Oakave Griffin, Harmen de Haan, Martin Harnisch, James Hastings, John Hench, William Holch, John Lamson, John Loehman, James Mehaffey, Elmer Maves, John Minard, Ernst Moeller, Arthur Paulsen Jr., John Phelps, Charles Raymond, Martin Roth, Albert Ruzicka, Louis Seidcheck, Clayton Talfen, Gilbert Vetter, Kenneth Vix, Thomas Weber, Eugene Whitlow, Mark Whitman, Philip Williams Jr., Kenneth Williams, Laddie Zeman and Carl Zitzka.

Korean War

Robert Archibald, Allen Drallmeier, Irwin Eggert, Jack Welle

Vietnam War

Harvey Lofgren, John O’Connor, Thomas Peterson, Michael Spotswood, Thomas Utter, Lester Weber

Afghan War

Gunnar Hotchkin