MEMORIAL DAY: A PRAYER OF THANKS FOR THOSE WHO PAID ‘THE ULTIMATE PRICE’
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 22-4, 2026) — It seems impossible, after having celebrated Christmas just last week, that we should find ourselves at Memorial Day Weekend. In another month, half the year will be gone.
Nonetheless, here we are, with the Berkshires poised for another influx of that peculiar species known as “tourists.” We put those nasty-but-necessary pests out of mind, though, to focus on what’s important.
This weekend, THE PLANET shall read the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Gettysburg Address. Yeah, we actually take time for “memorial,” not just of our veterans over the course of 250 years but of family members who fought and served.
First among these equals is our father, Gino, who, although he had an exemption as a vital worker, enlisted in the Army in 1944. On his birthday in the first days of January 1945, he found himself in the snow and cold of Belgium, the Elsenborn Ridge, then Germany as a member of an infantry rifle squad–394th Battalion, 99th Infantry Division, the “Checkerboard” outfit whose insignia bore near-identical resemblance to the logo of Pittsfield, MA.
PFC Gino Valenti, 99th Infantry Division, Paris, France, 1945.
Many are the things he experienced in the legendary Battle of the Bulge, and unforgettable were the life lessons he learned, most of them the hard way. He returned home in May 1946, established a beachhead in the Berkshires, and raised a family of three boys with his wife, Virginia. Gino wasn’t one to show off his medals or citations. Rather, he was one of those quiet, consistent, supremely intelligent people who played the often-tough game of life like a chess grandmaster, always many moves ahead of the competition.
He gave all, welcomed all, forgave all, and knew when crossed how to meet corruption and wrongdoing with an honest righteousness that blazed like the sun and absolutely melted the opposition.
He was what the priests at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish used to say about St. Joseph, Jesus’ dad: “He was a good man.”
THE PLANET learned our way through life from the lessons given by Gino and Virginia, and these many years later, we give thanks for memory, root word of “memorial,” that conceptual repository wherein reside, still living, all the seconds, minutes, and hours we have spent on God’s good earth. They all live: parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, relatives, friends, classmates, teammates, teachers, friends, enemies, pets, good times, bad times, and the quanta of existence’s every aspect.
To all who died in war for their cause, on every side of battle, THE PLANET says Godspeed.
——————————————————
“Courage: Acting despite the presence of fear” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Copyright (c) 2026 By Dan Valenti, PLANET VALENTI and EUROPOLIS MANAGEMENT. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed in the comment section or in the text other than those of PLANET VALENTI are not necessarily endorsed by the operators of this website. PLANET VALENTI assumes no responsibility for such views and opinions, and it reserves the right to remove or edit any comment, including but not limited to those that violate the website’s Rules of Conduct and its editorial policies. Those who leave comments own all the responsibilities that are or can be attached to those comments, be they rhetorical, semantic, or legal. Such commentators remain solely responsible for what they post and shall be and remain solely accountable for their words. PLANET VALENTI shall not be held responsible for the consequences that may result from any posted comment or outside opinion or commentary as provided in, but not limited to, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and this website’s terms of service. We serve as a marketplace of ideas, without prejudice and available to all. All users of this site — including readers, commentators, contributors, or anyone else — hereby agree to these conditions by virtue of this notice and their use of/participation in this site. When PLANET VALENTI ends with the words “The Usual Disclaimer,” that phrase shall be understood to refer to the full text of this disclaimer.
Dan
Your Dad was indeed a good man, voluntarily joining the Battle Babies,in their attack and victory over an evil fanatical tyranny..
Thoughts on what your dads opinion,of America’s current, battle against the latest fanatical tyranny?
Would he advise,allowing the fanatics to become increasingly dangerous?
Support our present intelligently managed, casualty limiting engagement?
The Greatest Generation, enjoyed the Patriotism, now being destroyed by teachers unions,demonrat politicians and fellow elitist Subversives.
Memorial day is just a day off,for them
America went through rationing of gasoline and food during WW2, and the critics whine,like petulant children,over price increases.
The office of price administration, limited tires, automobiles ,food and gasoline.
Did your folks have any of the coupon books, with red,white and blue stamps, required to purchase food,sugar and fuel respectively?
Perhaps America needs to be educated, on real history of our nation, and realize how blessed they are to live in the greatest nation on earth, because of the real suffering of our forefathers and mothers.
Seems a very small price to pay, to make the world safer.
Happy Memorial Day, as we reflect on Patriots lost.
Thanks for sharing, some of your families history of sacrifice.
5)21)26@5:30an
Tom
Thank you for using your forum to acknowledge those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this country during the far too numerous military conflicts throughout this great country’s history. Like your father, my father, a native of Pittsfield, also enlisted in the Army in 1944. He was 38 years old at the time of his enlistment. As an Army veteran myself, I can assure you that at the age of 38, you are not considered a prime candidate for military service. But he, like thousands of other men and women answered the call. He served in Patton’s Third Army in France, Belgium, across the Rhine into Germany and ultimately was in Czechoslovakia at the end of hostilities. He unfortunately passed away when I was five years old, so I never had the opportunity to personally engage him with respect to his experiences. I am sure however that like most of those who served, he would have had little to say other than he was doing his duty. This weekend is a time for the people of this country to remember those who never returned from the military conflicts that occurred over the course of our history. I fear that the essence of the meaning of this holiday is lost during the barbeques and the informal beginning of summer. I would encourage all to take just a moment during this weekend to think of the men and women gave their very lives in the defense of this great country. It is because of their ultimate sacrifice that we are afforded the privilege to enjoy the fruits of what this nation offers to its citizens.
So many thanks to our brave soldiers then and now. Thank you to all those trying to protect our country including ICE.
Thanks to your father and all those who served our country.