Nice way to honor veterans
Especially as the widow of a heroic Korean War Army veteran, Stanley Joseph Endres, I was very moved by Mark Zimmaro’s report on the changing memorial to veterans in South Philly (“A growing tribute to veterans,” Nov. 20). Thanks to the special efforts of a dedicated Army veteran, Frank Criniti, that memorial, which he started in memory of his brother, continues to evolve.
As the article details, Mr. Criniti continues to add pieces to the memorial he started at 18th and Bigler near his home. Others also follow his example. I was especially impressed by the description of the 10 podiums he added to the memorial that honor veterans of all 10 wars our country fought, from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf. I already mentioned in a former letter to the South Philly Review that a member of my family fought in every war in the 20th century. Thankfully, they all came home.
I especially like that Mr. Criniti urges all of us to express our gratitude to any veteran we encounter. They are all true heroes for having risked their lives and limbs to protect our country and its citizens. Of course I always put up a special window decoration every November to honor my own dear husband’s sacrifice as a teenage soldier in Korea. He helped save lives as a battlefield medic. He also suffered capture and was wounded by “friendly fire.”
Lucky for all of us, he survived and came home. We met years later, married and had a beautiful daughter. He continued to save lives as an emergency room nursing assistant and later as a drug counselor. He passed away in 2010 and had a flag-draped coffin at his funeral.
I am so glad that there is a special memorial in South Philly to honor heroes like Stanley, who risked everything to defend our country. Thanks especially to Frank Criniti for contributing to its growth and development that continue to remind us of the heroic sacrifices of our veterans.
Gloria C. Endres
