SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — The last time this memorial came to our area was back in 2018. Friday is the first day of the “Remembering Our Fallen” memorial which rolled into McDade Park Thursday night. It is the first day the public could come and see some of the men and women who have died in the war on terror.
Bill Evans of Hallstead is kneeling glancing at his son’s photo. William Evans died nearly 16 years ago in 2005 from an IED.
“That’s what’s been healing for me is coming, is come here and see this and see how many people are here,” said Evans.
Visitors to McDade Park stopped to honor bill’s son and the more than 5,000 other service members who were killed post 9/11.
“This is what keeps it keeps their memories alive and their names alive. I am one that is not afraid to speak their names, I want to speak about them, I want to tell about them. That’s how I heal never forgotten,” stated Evans.
Hundreds of those on display are from Pennsylvania. Eric Slebodnik, Greenfield Township. Michael Braden, Lock Haven, James Minicozzi, Scranton.
Ruth Bednarzyk of Doylestown, Bucks County traveled to Scranton to see her son on this moving memorial for the first time.
“It’s an honor to see him, it’s emotional it makes me, my heart sad to see him but I am proud and honor that he followed his dream,” said Bednarzyk.
A dream that lives on through his foundation called the “Captain Connor Bednarzyk 5” supporting army veterans to help them transition into civilian life.
“22 veterans commit suicide a day and so this is to raise awareness to help those veterans because they still carry that heavy load,” explained Bednarzyk.
A heavy load, these men and women took on, for the country, after that September day.
“I mean how old were they during 911, you know not very old but yet they answer that call and it impacted them deeply. I’m proud as a gold star parent,” stated Bednarzyk.
More than 5,000 names will be read allowed during a ceremony Saturday morning. That will start at 10 a.m. If you can’t make it then the memorial will continue to be on display from now until Tuesday night, dawn to dusk.
