Honoring Memorial Day

An Annual Tradition at Cedar Sinai Park

Post Date: 6/02/2010

Over 100 people gathered in the Robison Living Room for this year’s Annual CSP Memorial Day Program.  The story behind Cedar Sinai Park’s now 12 year tradition begins with a veteran.  Over a decade ago, this veteran — who had served two tours in Vietnam — was an employee here at CSP.  And, every time he saw David Fuks, the honorary veteran would stand at attention and offer a crisp, sharp salute to Fuks.

When asked why he saluted David, the veteran simply stated that David was the CEO (aka senior officer) and as such, was his colonel. And, everyone knows you salute a colonel.  It was this striking veteran who suggested to Fuks that CSP should do something special to honor Memorial Day.  David took this suggestion to heart, and since then, Cedar Sinai Park has always held its Annual Memorial Day Program.

After a warm welcome, the program began with a recognition of the men and women from Oregon who lost their lives this past year in service of their country. All offered their silence and respect as the names were read. David Fuks also read the names of residents, staff and family members who served in the military.  Attendees were invited to contribute to this list by sharing aloud the names of any other family and loved ones who had served.

Michael Mogell, Resident of Rose Schnitzer Manor, read aloud his Memory of an 18 Year Old Going to War.  Michael’s tale recounts his entrance into the military as well as those closing months of the war. At the end of World War II, he recounts:

“…my first sergeant said to me, ‘We are going home because we have enough points, but you don’t. So, where would you like to go?’

I replied, ‘There is a mechanical drawing school in Eschwege, Germany on the Russian boarder.’ [The sergeant] made it happen.  I went there. There were two things I was told not to do. After 3 p.m., don’t go on the streets because the Russian Cuzzacks would come on horses with machine guns and kill anything that moved, even American soldiers.

My stay there was short, and I became eligible to go home. The year was 1946 and I was 20 years old.”

The program concluded with the Honor Guard presenting the flag and leading all 100+ attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and America the Beautiful.