Memorial Day first started after the Civil War as Decoration Day, a time when citizens remembered the sacrifice of soldiers who died in that epic conflict by decorating their gravesites. It has since become America’s most hallowed holiday, a time for personal reflection and expressions of gratitude for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, so the citizens of America and its allies may live in freedom.
John Leo played cymbals for the Cavaliers in the mid 1970s, and has continued to perform with the Classic Cavaliers, an all-age ensemble created to provide support and publicity for the current drum corps by participating in a variety of performances throughout the year.
A few years ago, Leo was performing with the Classics at a Moose Lodge on Veterans Day when the host of the event requested that veterans in the ensemble step forward to introduce themselves. John was surprised when nearly half of the Classics revealed their military heritage. He recounted, “The audience broke out in a tremendous round of applause. Having not been able to step forward made me feel that I should do whatever I could to understand and honor the men I performed with.”
Don Peterson
Fournier found her way to Les Stentors as the mother of a marching member in 2017, but was quickly immersed into volunteer operations, including kitchen duty.
While Les Stentors didn’t participate in the 2018 DCI Tour, Fournier’s involvement did not waver; she played a key role in fundraising, and ultimately moved into a position on the Sherbrooke, Québec corps’ board of directors in 2019. In the time since, she has overseen volunteers for multiple fundraising events, continued contributing as a board member, and also served in the role of nurse practitioner.
“Parents, kids and staff appreciate her unique and heartwarming personality,” Les Stentors director Gabriel Francoeur said. “They often mention how safe they feel knowing Nathalie’s there with their children.”
Since her recent retirement, Francoeur noted that Fournier is even more active with Les Stentors, helping out around the corps’ office amongst her other continued volunteer efforts.
“Nathalie is one the most generous and genuine people who I have been in contact with in my 42 years of drum corps,” Francoeur said. “The Stentors could not have the same kind of success and member and family appreciation without her by our side.”Leo had recently learned about Don Peterson, a member of the Cavaliers who died fighting in the Vietnam War in 1965 at the age of 24. While warming up for last year’s Memorial Day Parade in downtown Chicago, the Classic Cavaliers visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along the Chicago River and performed an impromptu concert at the site. Another Cavaliers alum pointed out Peterson’s name on the memorial, and when Leo got home from the parade, he started researching the circumstances of Peterson’s death.
Leo went to Washington DC because his 16-year-old son Michael selected the city as a spring break destination. Michael had already been to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (commonly known as “The Wall”) once that week, but agreed to go back with his father, who said, “You cannot approach the memorial without feeling the sensation that you are visiting the graves of the people whose names are etched on the dark granite wall.”
With the knowledge of Don Peterson’s name and the approximate date of his death, father and son went to the kiosk located discretely adjacent to the wall. Volunteers staff the kiosk and provide assistance to visitors who wish to find specific names of veterans killed in action. The two Leos were given the location of Peterson’s name, plus some tracing paper and a pencil with which they could create a “rubbing,” an image of the name exactly as it appears on the memorial.
Upon locating Peterson’s name, John Leo was struck by how the wall appeared to be “shedding tears” due to a drizzle earlier that day. He took off his coat and used it to wipe dry Peterson’s name. He remembers, “That’s when things felt really sober and the connection to Don became emotional, despite the fact I was five years old when he died.” He made two rubbings and began to contemplate all the Cavaliers brothers he had marched with.
John and Michael sat on a nearby bench and John posted about their experience to the Facebook group of the Cavaliers Alumni Association, including a photo of him creating the rubbing of Don Peterson’s name on the memorial. He said the response from alumni was “swift and tremendously positive.”
“I meant to honor Don and the veterans, and to send a message that their service to our country is never far from our conscious thoughts,” Leo said.
On this Memorial Day, may we all likewise do the same.
