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This weekend is Memorial Day and ever since I began writing this column in 2019, I always make it a priority to write about this important national holiday. It truly cannot be overstated how important this day is to our nation and history. My grandfathers and many great uncles served in World War II, great-grandfathers served in World War I, some of my American relatives served in the Civil War and other ancestors served in the American Revolution, too, and thankfully none of them had to pay that ultimate sacrifice that is asked of so many who have served.
Not too far from my house on Weirton Heights is the Weirton Army Reserve base on Front Street. The building is set back from the road a bit and if you haven't been by recently, there are many cool looking military vehicles in the parking lot. Several times a week, the soldiers drive the neighborhoods in those big vehicles, much to the delight of my children.
Sometimes they will wave as they drive by, which always delights my kids. I feel lucky to have them so close. The complex is adjacent to Weir High School and was dedicated on May 26, 1962, and named for Pfc. Anthony Eafrati. According to the Weirton Steel Employee Bulletin Eafrati was one of seven brothers who served our country in the armed forces, all but one in the World War II, and all worked in Weirton Steel. Eafrati' s father, Joseph, worked in the coke plant and his sister, Armenia, worked in the tin mill assorting room. A proud history of work in Weirton Steel.
Anthony enlisted in the Army on May 19, 1943, but before enlisting, he worked for the mason department at the open hearth. Pfc. Eafrati's role in the military was a medical corpsman receiving his training at Camp Shelby, Miss. After training, he was deployed to Europe. As the Bulletin explained, "On February 28, 1945, Anthony, disregarding his own safety, went forward to help wounded soldiers on a battlefield in Germany under a heavy artillery barrage and small arms fire. The 21-year-old soldier continued to administer first aid until he, himself, was wounded by shrapnel. He died the next day."
Because of his actions on that day, the Army awarded him the Silver Star for "gallantry in action." The official citation recounted that "He clearly demonstrated superior qualities of valor and devotion to duty and his gallantry in action under most trying circumstances reflects the highest credit upon Private First Class Eafrati, and the Armed Forces of the United States." On that day in 1962, Anthony's six brothers and sister took part in the ceremonies. Of the brothers, Mario, was wounded in action and Gilbert also earned the Silver Star. The Rev. Emil Dobosz from Sacred Heart of Mary gave the invocation in addition to many other remarks with musical selections from the Army Band of Fort Knox, Ky.
Pfc. Anthony Eafrati' s sacrifice to aid his fellow soldiers on that battlefield in Germany is heroic, and one to never be forgotten. His remains were never brought home, and he is buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium with 7,986 other American soldiers. According to the cemetery's website, most of those interred are from the September 1944 invasion of Northern France, Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg into Germany. Also, many are from the Battle of the Bulge.
There are many more soldiers who gave their last full measure of devotion, as Lincoln famously said, from our area throughout the many conflicts in our nation's history. Another soldier who posthumously received the Silver Star was Cpl. Steve Wounaris. According to the Bulletin, Steve was killed in Sicily on Sept. 8, 1943. His citation reads "While attacking a ridge in Sicily, the company in which Corporal Wounaris was attached as aid man was subjected to a heavy barrage of enemy artillery fire. The men took cover, with the exception of one man who had been seriously wounded. Corporal Wounaris immediately went out to him and bandaged his wounds while under heavy shell fire. After helping carry the wounded man to safety, Corporal Wounaris started out again to aid other men who had been injured, but he was killed en route by artillery fire. Corporal Wounaris' disregard for personal safety and devotion to duty reflects the highest traditions of the medical Corps and the Military Service." Wounaris was a steel works employee who enlisted before Pearl Harbor in February 1941 and sailed overseas in November 1942. According to the Bulletin, he served in North Africa before participating in the invasion of Sicily. He is buried in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.
These two men are American heroes and proud sons of our area. This Memorial Day, while we are enjoying family, friends, picnics, and fun in the sun, stop and think about these two men and what they gave so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. These two brave soldiers never got to grow old, they gave their all for our country.
Lest we forget.
(Zuros is the Hancock County administrator)