Missing World War II sailor finally resting in peace in Steubenville
Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- An immense showing of public support surrounded Friday's hometown burial in Mount Calvary Cemetery of a sailor who had lost his life during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
A gathering of veterans, city officials, first responders and members of the public stood in respect during the burial ceremony.
Next to the casket during the proceedings were members of Galaszewski's family, including nieces and nephews who covered multiple generations.
Bishop Paul J. Bradley, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Steubenville, presided over the Catholic burial ceremony.
"We gather together to welcome home Seaman 2nd Class Stanley Casmier Galaszewski and to lay him, finally, to his eternal rest," Bradley said.
"We gather here to commend our brother Stanley to God, our father, and to commit his body to the Earth in the spirit of faith and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Galaszewski died at the age of 29 on Dec. 7, 1941, while serving on the USS California. Presumed dead, but unidentified for more than 80 years due to technological constraints, Galaszewski was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency using DNA analysis on May 23, 2022, paving the way for his return to and burial in his hometown of Steubenville.
The casket containing Galaszewski's remains was draped with the U.S. flag as it was removed from the hearse by pallbearers and personnel from the Naval Station Norfolk. Flanking the ceremony were members of American Legion Post 557 in Wintersville, who stood in the flag line.
Behind the American Legion were members of the Tri-State Young Marines, a youth organization that upholds the values of the Marine Corps. Two members of the Young Marines presented before the casket a wreath from the national Wreaths Across America initiative.
Representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Ohio and national organization presented Galaszewski's family with a memorial accommodation, signed by the VFW's commander-in-chief and adjutant general, and a plaque honoring prisoners of war and service members who were missing in action.
"Peace demands ... the most difficult sacrifice. We will be forever grateful for the ultimate sacrifices of our missing warriors from all wars," said Ralph Reynolds, chairman of the Department of Ohio POW/MIA.
"It is a great honor to stand here today to celebrate and honor the return of an American hero. After 82 years, 2nd Class Galaszewski has finished his service and returned home. Today we honor (him) for his service to our country and for making the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedoms and our liberties and to let the family ... know that we are ever grateful to their sacrifice as well."
Reynolds said that Galaszewski's legacy will live on through the education of communities and youth about the significance of POW/MIA service members and the importance of bringing them home. He also thanked the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, part of the Department of Defense, for their efforts to identify soldiers who have been killed in foreign wars.
Personnel from Naval Station Norfolk performed a 21-gun salute and played taps after which personnel removed the U.S. flag from the casket and presented it to Dennis Galaszewski, Stanley's 72-year-old nephew. Concluding the ceremony was a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
A funeral procession from the Mosti Funeral Home to the cemetery preceded the burial ceremony. Supporters from the public, including students from Steubenville High School and Steubenville Catholic schools, lined Sunet Boulevard while holding U.S. flags.
The route into the cemetery was dotted with U.S. flags, and a large flag flew near the cemetery's office, suspended by an engine from the Steubenville Fire Department.
Having come for the funeral from Toronto, Dennis Galaszewski and his wife, Linda Galaszewski, reflected after the ceremony. The two recalled how Dennis Galaszewski's father and Stanley Galaszewski's brother, Chester Galaszewski, joined the Army in World War II, perhaps inspired by the earlier sacrifice of his brother.
Dennis Galaszewski noted that his father would always wear a sailor's cap under his hat to remember Stanley. Linda Galaszewski added that he would only take the cap off during church.
"It was very humbling to drive through town and see everyone on the streets," Linda Galaszewski said. "It's been 82 years, but people still remember (Stanley). ... I was telling (Dennis) today how happy his dad would have been to have known that his brother was brought back."
Dennis Galaszewski had contributed a DNA sample to the DPAA's identification effort, as had Stanley Galaszewski's youngest sister, Mary Tamburro, who died in 2014.
Among other family members present was Deborah Conti, Stanley Galaszewski's great-niece who lives in the Cleveland area.
"It's a beautiful day, and it feels like it's finally taken care of. He's where he's supposed to be," Conti said after the ceremony.
Joe D'Alessandro, Conti's son and Stanley Galaszewski's great-great-nephew, said, "It was an amazing experience. ... It's closure for (Stanley) because he's back with his mom and dad."
After the ceremony, Galaszewski was buried with his service medals next to his parents, Anthony and Mary Helen Galaszewski, in a plot that had been saved for him when he finally returned.