Greetings in the name of the Lord:
During World War II, my maternal grandpa, Robert E. Grofer, PFC, served in the United States Army. While on an ambitious operation in the Philippines to deploy a landing force on the beaches, he was shot in the leg. He lost this leg due to infection and became one of the first to receive a prosthetic leg.
Grandpa Grofer was honorably discharged from the Army, and subsequently awarded the Purple Heart (placed on him by Eleanor Roosevelt). He returned to civilian life, lived his Catholic faith, built a family, and had a successful career. In all of his years he never complained, and always flew the American flag. He died in 1977 when I was ten years old.
Forty-two years later we realized my grandfather never received a bronze plaque for his military service, nor did he receive military honors at his burial. These signs of honor were arranged and carried out in 2019. I will never forget hearing Taps for my grandpa as I had my right hand over my heart, which at that moment was beating for him who served.
It is always right and just to honor those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces. On November 14-15, we will recognize our veterans and active duty Armed Forces members. The music will reflect our strong desire for peace, not war. Immediately following the Prayer After Communion, we will ask veterans and active duty service members to stand or raise their hand so as a community we can express our gratitude.
We will distribute special rosaries that were blessed on the grave of my grandfather. These rosaries are replicas of rosaries that were distributed to the soldiers in World War II. We will also present a prayer card of St. Michael the Archangel and give a special blessing.
In the entry of each church, we will have a table for family members to place pictures and/or military insignia of loved ones who have served in the Armed Forces. In this way, we will honor those who have gone before us and those who protect our freedoms.
We also have school children preparing artwork to express gratitude to our veterans and active-duty service members. Should you know of a veteran who is homebound, please help them get to Mass so we can express our gratitude in person!
May the Lord richly bless those who serve and have served.
ours in Christ:
Fr. Ronald Haft
Temporary Parochial Administrator
