Photo By Sgt. Bob Timney | Dozens of family, friends, veterans and members of the Ohioville, Pa., community,...... read more read more
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DARLINGTON, Pa. - If someone wanted to know how many Pennsylvania service members have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, all one would have to do is visit Jesse Mercure’s front yard and count the sunflowers. That is, once they have bloomed.
First planted in 2008, June 2 marked the fifth year veteran Mercure has planted a living tribute as a reminder of his fallen comrades.
“That first year, I started seeds in flats and planted one Sunflower for each Pennsylvanian veteran killed in Iraq. I did this to show that I had not or will not forget the sacrifices of my neighbors, brothers and sisters in arms,” said Mercure.
“That first year I had help from Donna [Matters] and my mom. The next year we decided it was too much work for us,” said Mercure. “So we invited friends and family to help out and made an event out of it. We added a separate, smaller garden for Afghanistan casualties that year. For some reason the deer really like the small garden, but left the bigger one alone.”
Mercure personally networked and used social media like Facebook to enlist the help he needed each year.
“I try to draw attention to what we do, not to say, ‘Look at what I did.’ It’s not about me. It’s about raising awareness of the ultimate sacrifice paid by our brothers and sisters here in our community,” he said.
The following two years, the event and garden grew. Sunflowers for the fallen Pennsylvanian Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are in the main garden each year now.
Mercure is a proud veteran with 20 years active ending in 2007 including an Iraq tour in 2003. Mercure also served four years in the Army Reserve in the maintenance section of the 99th Regional Readiness Command in Coraopolis, Pa., before the unit moved to Fort Dix, N.J.
“I have been all over the world, but I continue to serve in my own way,” he said.
When he leaves his home, Mercure also takes a rolling tribute with him as well. He has a 2007 Patriot Edition Harley Davidson that has been customized with all the names painted on it.
“I believe we can never do enough to show our support for those who have served to protect our and others’ freedoms,” said Mercure.
This year the group planted a total of 276 sunflowers, 197 for the service members who fell in Iraq and 79 for the ones who fell in Afghanistan. Mercure expects they will sprout in seven to 10 days, with peak bloom being in late July or early August.
There were more than two dozen volunteers during planting time and many more throughout the day to offer a hand and partake in the covered dish barbecue that ensued. “It’s nice to reward those that come out to help with a little music, food and fun,” said Mercure, and added, “and I’m thankful that Donna works hard and really takes care of all the food for the day.”
Several veterans were among the helpers representing the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Many of the volunteers have known Mercure since high school, either at Western Beaver or Black Hawk, but the resonating force motivating them to become involved is his patriotic enthusiasm.
“Jesse once borrowed money from me to buy a vet his lunch when he didn’t have the cash right there in his pocket,” said Denise Donnelly, who went to school with him at Black Hawk. “This project is near and dear to his heart, and his passion fuels my desire to help him.”
Donnelly was one of several people taking photographs during the day, making it seem more like a family picnic than a memorial planting.
Mary Ann Krakar, from Midland, Pa., said, “It’s an honor to be a part of this. And if more people knew about him and what he is doing, then more people would be here to help and also have a really nice day to hang out with friends, food and fun.”
Also present was Barb Bucklew and her teenage boys Josh, 17, and Justin, 12. Her husband, Ernie, was recruited by Mercure and died in a helicopter transport while coming home from Iraq for his mother’s funeral. In a quiet moment during the sunny picnic-like day, Justin was caught in a picture by Donnelly looking for his father’s name on Mercure’s Harley Davidson. When he found it on the fender, he carefully took a picture of it.
Tracy Monroe-Ware, of Industry, Pa., and Dave Osburn, from New Castle, Pa., said they firmly believe in Mercure’s purpose and conviction.
“We honor those that are still serving by honoring these soldiers that have fallen,” said Monroe-Ware.
“We do this to let the soldiers halfway around the world know that we won’t forget them either,” said Osburn.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2012 08:13 |
| Story ID: | 89570 |
| Location: | DARLINGTON, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 189 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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