A garden memorial hails area Marine

Erica Bryant
Staff writer

(July 22, 2007) — Members of Churchville-Chili High School's class of 1966 dedicated the James E. Widener Garden of Recognition near the Churchville-Chili Central School District Athletic Complex on Saturday.

About 500 people gathered for the ceremony to honor Widener, a star athlete who turned down athletic scholarships to enlist in the U.S. Marines Corps after he graduated.

He was stationed in Vietnam and in June 1967, his helicopter crashed after being hit by enemy fire. For nearly 40 years, Widener was classified missing in action/body not recovered.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that Widener's remains had been positively identified. In November he was given a military burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Ray Melens, Commander of the Honor Guard for the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 20, attended the Arlington ceremony and spoke at Saturday's dedication.

"It was an honor to be able to pay respects to a fallen brother, 39 years later," said Melens. "We must never forget the sacrifice so many have made."

The garden, a gift from the class of 1966, features a rock that represents eternity, two maple trees that represent life, three rose bushes that represent love and two granite benches that represent fortitude.

The dedication featured orchestral performances of the official songs of the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy.

Veterans presented Presidential Memorial Certificates to the Widener's family, and more than 30 members of the class of 1966 who served in the military were honored with roses. Among them was Stephen Smith, who enlisted in the Navy after hearing that Widener's helicopter had gone down in Vietnam.

Smith says he never forgot his friend or his sacrifice. "We must honor Jimmy by leading honorable lives," he said.

EBRYANT@DemocratandChronicle.com

Ellie