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As a 23-year-old staff sergeant, Edward Ruscitti risked his own
life to take out an enemy machine gun position amidst a flurry of
bullets and artillery during a World War II battle in the
Netherlands.
Almost 50 years later, the 104th Infantry
Division veteran died and was buried under one of the white marble
headstones that line Arlington National Cemetery.
This year,
as part of an annual event that pays respect to the sacrifices of
military members, I had the honor to place a wreath at the foot of
his headstone.
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December 16, 2017 (Arlington National Cemetery) - The headstone of Edward Ruscitti, who risked his life as a 23-year-old staff sergeant to take out an enemy machine gun position amidst a flurry of bullets and artillery during a World War II battle in the Netherlands. (U.S. Army photo by Sean Kimmons)
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If Ruscitti were still alive today, I would have loved to
hear him tell me stories about his service during WWII, the
close calls he and his unit experienced in combat, and the
gallant actions that led to him earning a Silver Star in
1945.
This was my first time at the cemetery as a
volunteer. It's a little embarrassing to say this, but I
rarely volunteer for such events. I'm typically attached to
a notepad covering them as a reporter, which can make it
difficult to separate one's self and soak in the true
meaning of them.
My simple
gesture was only a drop in the bucket to the huge
undertaking behind this year's event. While it was brief,
the gesture along with similar ones from tens of thousands
of other volunteers turned the cemetery into an even more
impressive sight.
More than 200,000 wreaths had been
trucked into the cemetery as part of the 12th annual
"Wreaths Across America" event -- a nationwide program that
distributes wreaths as a tribute to veterans laid to rest at
Veterans Affairs national cemeteries, state veterans
cemeteries, and here.
Within minutes, green wreaths
adorned with red ribbons began to pepper the rows of
headstones. The burden of dealing with the cold weather and
long lines seemed distant and insignificant. Given the
chance to share a special moment with a fallen veteran made
it all worthwhile.
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December 16, 2017 - A family of a fallen Soldier sits next to his headstone in Arlington National Cemetery, VA. More than 200,000 wreaths were placed on headstones as part of the annual Wreaths Across America event, which honors the sacrifices made by military members. (Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Army photo by Sean Kimmons)
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I was not alone. There were many
others who were not related to those buried here but still
came, including Sgt. Edwin Mancera.
The sergeant
stood out in his Army uniform, flanked by his family
members. A licensed practical nurse at the nearby Fort
Belvoir Community Hospital, he wanted his family,
particularly his younger niece and nephew, to witness the
somber event.
"As Americans, we should all be aware
of the sacrifices that have been made to get us to where
we're at today," he said. "Having family out here is
something that everybody should be doing. It just doesn't
happen a lot, so I'm making it a point to do it."
As
I walked by more headstones, the names of the fallen etched
into them looked back at me and I couldn't help but be
pulled in. I was also drawn in by memorabilia left by family
and friends as gifts to their lost loved ones. From photos
and coins, to a loved one's favorite snacks, the small
mementos were all reminders that someone they knew had
visited them.
There was a story behind every
headstone.
When I approached the headstone of Capt.
Sara Knutson Cullen, her family and friends had just wrapped
up a toast in her honor. Sara was a 27-year-old Black Hawk
pilot who was killed along with four other Soldiers when
their helicopter crashed during a storm in Afghanistan.
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December 16, 2017 - Nancy Davis, mother-in-law of Capt. Sara Knutson Cullen, a Black Hawk
pilot who was killed in Afghanistan, places a wreath on her
headstone at Arlington National Cemetery, VA. More than 200,000
wreaths were placed on headstones as part of the annual Wreaths
Across America event, which honors the sacrifices made by military
members. (U.S. Army photo by Sean Kimmons)
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Sara's family chose to celebrate her life. And although
it was short-lived, it was still a memorable one, they said.
Sara was an intelligent West Point graduate who decided
to join the Army after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, said
Nancy Davis, her mother-in-law.
While Sara was all
business when she donned the uniform, Davis said, her
daughter-in-law was a joy to be around.
"She could
wear the Army boots, but she loved her Jimmy Choos (high
heels) and the Coach purses," she said, smiling. "She had
great taste that way. She was very impressive, but she was
also fun."
In November 2012, Sara married her
husband, Chris, whom she met while stationed at Fort
Wainwright, Alaska. Both were Army helicopter pilots, but
when she got deployment orders he switched to a contractor
job so he could stay close to her.
"He left the
service because she was going to be deployed and they were
going to end up being separated," Davis said. "So, he
followed her."
Only four months into their marriage,
she was killed in the crash. Chris escorted her body back to
the United States and would later rejoin the military as a
helicopter pilot for the Army National Guard. He is
currently preparing to deploy again, Davis said.
"He
got out to follow her all the way to Afghanistan," she said.
"After the accident happened, he got back in."
As we
talked, people passed by Sara's headstone and admired the
shrine Davis and others had made for her. Beside the wreath,
there was an angel figurine, coins, a teddy bear and the
empty bottle of champagne they had drank in her honor.
"For people who don't even know her to come by and to
just say 'thank you' or stop and reflect, it's amazing," she
said. "It's just one big family."
That made me think
of the wreath I had laid on Edward's headstone. While it was
certainly meaningful to me, maybe his family would have also
appreciated knowing that their loved one's life was not
forgotten today.
It's said that a person dies twice:
once, when they take their final breath; and again when
their name is spoken for the last time. So, for this year,
it was my humble duty to say his name aloud.
Live on
Edward Ruscitti. Live on.
U.S. Army Sean Kimmons
Army News Service
Copyright 2017
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