Uncle Dan's 80th Memorial Day - "A Song for Our Faithful & Loyal Marine"

Uncle Dan's 80th Memorial Day - "A Song for Our Faithful & Loyal Marine"

"If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA."

Artist: Lee Greenwood 
Song: Proud To Be An American

In the winter of 2005 my incredible neighbor Pete Marone - a friend, local hero and a former mayor of Pt. Pleasant, NJ - spent hours sharing his astonishing personal history and experiences highlighting the time he served in the U.S Army as a member of 3rd Infantry Division's 50th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion during the Korean War. His photo album from the 1950's was like no other.

Daniel Sharkey formerly of Pt. Pleasant Beach and a proud U.S. Marine is my mom's older brother and at the time of this conversation my uncle had been my relative for 47 years.  It was the first time in my life I had heard that my uncle was a survivor of the "Heroic Ordeal" of the Korean War called the "Chosin Reservoir Campaign." 

Thanks to David Oxenford's history class at Pt. Pleasant Beach High School, I already knew the brutal and riveting history of how approximately 20,000 allied troops (17,000 of them U.S. Marines like my uncle) were attacked by 120,000 Communist Chinese forces between November 26th and December 11th 1950 during sub-zero winter conditions. 

This military effort became known as one of the great examples of bravery & teamwork of our time.  Against all odds they escorted 91,000 North Korean refugees to freedom.  How could I not know that my own uncle was actually there? 

Later we would realize that the "Greatest Generation" took decades processing these indelible experiences and images in the quite places of their own hearts and minds.  Their stories and challenges were often buried beneath their exterior and could only be revealed when they were ready.  Mayor Marone was ready before Uncle Dan, but once my uncle got to that place there was no stopping him and the good that would follow. 

A powerful feeling evolved as my uncle filled in the gaps of our family's living history which inspired me to leverage my keyboard to put a soft light on my uncle's journey so my own kids could understand and see how the contributions of the elder heroes in our family made a difference to the United States of America every time they were called upon to do so.  

In May 2005 Uncle Dan was honored as a Grand Marshal of the Pt. Pleasant Memorial Day Parade along with all the members of the "NJ Chapter of the Chosin Few." 

It was moving and emotional as fellow citizens in my little town honored the "Chosin" who died in battle at the Reservoir - and saluted the survivors - "The Chosin Few." 

Folklore has it that every other person along the parade route who had freckles that glorious day was absolutley a cousin!

Mixed in with other amazing local military heroes was my Uncle Dan (Marines - Korean War); in a shiny blue car was "Tis' Himself" Uncle John Conaghan (U.S. Navy - WWII), and there he was "our family's Happy Birthday Man" Uncle Walter Gunsiorowski himself (Merchant Marines - WWII) smiling and waving from a fancy two-seat red convertible.  

Cousin Michael Conaghan (U.S. Navy - Vietnam War) delighted the masses on guitar accompanied by his dad on violin during the actual memorial ceremony at our Community Park - the same way they always did when invited to do so.   

On Memorial Day that year and in the years that followed, our family built floats to honor the sacrifices of the brave men & women whose fight for freedom required them to give all.  We created gathering posts for celebration, reflection and storytelling as listeners of all ages found their way to our back yards.

We watched with pride as Uncle Dan and other survivors of the Chosin Reservoir made their way to Wall Street to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.  His children, nieces and nephews stood shoulder-to-shoulder with pride as we literally danced with joy when Uncle Dan Sharkey - the son of our grandparents who were Irish immigrants - was elected and sworn in as President of the NJ Chapter of the Chosin Few.  It was a "bravo - well done moment" of the highest caliber.

Memorial Day reminds me of one of the gifts I cherish most about my uncle and that is he has always given the men and women in the armed services who lost their lives a consistent voice and a permanent place at our family's table.

He speaks for them and about them in our communities.  Uncle Dan fights with and for them when they need help; and when he believes they deserve to be remembered, honored and memorialized in a manner that matches their commitment to our nation, my uncle gets it done.     

His work ethic and consistent values which include love of family, a tireless commitment to others, courage and a deep love of country has influenced the lives of countless people.  

For the fun of it, I've attached his 80th birthday video which shows that Uncle Dan's first circle share the same assessment of him and his life's work that is posted here. 

The video entitled, "Dan Sharkey - An Incredible Journey" ** was a surprise from his daughter Kathleen and her husband John Greco during his 80th birthday celebration last summer.  An overwhelming surprise it was! There was not a dry eye in the house!

How Uncle Dan chose to live and the example he set after serving in the Korean War certainly helped our family understand the true meaning of Lee Greenwood's lyrics and refrain below:

"And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me."

We will never forget any of them, Uncle Dan.  God Bless you on your 80th Memorial Day… and thank you so much.

You have always honored our family and the tenets of Semper Fidelis by simply being yourself.       

Utmost respect & love,

Tish

**Video created using the voices of Dan Sharkey's family & our photos to celebrate his 80th Birthday!  Produced by Bob Brookstone @ Our Living Tree - bobbrookstone@ourlivingtree.com - 675 West End Avenue - New York, NY 10025  (212) 662-8997.  What a gift!!