By Cheryl Conway

More than 75 people lined the entrance-way of Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake on Friday afternoon, June 28, to wave American flags welcoming the family and friends of a recent fallen New Jersey soldier.

Organized and hosted by the All Veterans Memorial, an Honorable Service Memorial for U.S. Navy PO2 Kevin Yali, 27, of Midland Park was held last week at 3:15 p.m. at the AVM. Yali tragically died on June 19 while serving in Afghanistan.

The summer heat did not keep local patriots, family and friends of Yali away as many gathered at the ceremonial grounds of the AVM, N.J.’s premier veteran’s memorial site. Sweat mixed in with the tears to all those who paid tribute to this beloved fallen warrior who “too young, he was taken from us,” as it was stated in the opening remarks.

The ceremony began with a formal motorcade escort of Yali’s family, with police cars and motorcycles. The family was then led to the AVM’s Northstar Seating area for the services.

“He gave the ultimate sacrifice,” explains Charlie Wood Uhrmann, AVM founder, during the ceremony. “We are going to honor him.”

After the bagpipe presentation, Karen Kennedy beautifully sang the “National Anthem,” and then Chaplain Adam Charman of the U.S. Army gave the opening invocation.

“We ask for your blessings to his family,” Charman begins as he spoke about Yali. “Kevin proudly served the U.S. Navy…on foreign walls of soil. This would be Kevin’s final deployment; his ultimate sacrifice. His service to our country was with honor.

“He stood firmly and was tested by fire and combat not once, but four times,” says Charman. “We are here to honor him. We hope to emulate his tireless spirit. Kevin’s dues have been paid. We have lost and gained by his service.

“Kevin’s courage… the life grown purer with his intention to serve,” continues Charman. “To his family,” Charman extends “our full condolences.”

Born in Paterson, Yali lived in Midland Park for the past 19 years, according to his obituary. Yali was killed by a mortar while serving as a PO2/E5 in the U.S. Navy, deployed to the Middle East four separate times during his service.

He was sent to Afghanistan on June 1 to work as a private contractor serving alongside U.S. Armed Forces when he was killed 18 days later.

A memorial paver in Yali’s name was dedicated at the AVM for his service during the ceremony; his family was escorted onto the memorial site to set the paver into the walkway alongside other fallen soldiers.

“Hundreds will pass and see Kevin’s name,” says Charman, alongside other soldier’s names who had “life and purpose” and “gave his all.” Charman says of Yali: It “was his spirit- it touched me. He’s done so many great things. I don’t think he’s had any regrets.

“It’s our honor to be here today to honor him,” says Charman. “Kevin was loved and respected by all who were around him. Kevin knew the dangers ahead. His spirit and heart moved him forward. In our hearts, he marches on. His duty now, to watch over us from above. Be at peace my brother.”

At the end of his invocation, Charman thanked Uhrmann for her effort, dedication and passion to funding and building the most remarkable and beautiful of veterans’ memorial grounds in N.J.

“We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our patriots,” says Charman, and one of them being Charlie Uhrmann who hides in the shadows of the ceremonial grounds.

“We are extremely grateful for the gift,” says Charman. “She built this place brick by brick.”

He then thanked all those who came out to pay their respects to the Yali family.

“Thank you all for your participation and time,” says Charman. “Take the time to look around.” See all the names of those who have given their ultimate sacrifice.”

The N.J. State Police concluded the service with an honorary flyover as everyone looked up at the blue sky in anticipation of the helicopter to pass over the AVM.

Family members were greeted by many hugs and sincere condolences from those in the audience, including Morris County Sheriff James Gannon who expressed his deepest sympathies to Yali’s parents, Oscar and Daisy.

The Yalis then walked over to their beloved’s paver, especially Yali’s father, Oscar, who just stood and stared at the stone for the longest time.

Young and old, veterans and residents both local and from surrounding towns came out to the ceremony to be flag holders and learn about this young soldier.

One mother from Hackettstown, whose son had also served in the military and thankfully survived, decided to attend just because her heart bleeds for any families who lose their son or daughter while serving in the U.S. military.

Sara Beattie of Budd Lake attended with her two kids and niece and they helped hold flags to greet the grieving family.

“I found out about it through Girl Scouts,” says Beattie. “I wanted to give the kids the opportunity to experience the military and Kevin. It was a nice celebration; a lot of community, several scouts, families from town and many veterans. No one knew who Kevin was other than his family, but to come together to support him” was important.

“How many memorials are there like this?” she asks. “As a community where the memorial is,” Beattie says she wanted to attend to show support.

“No matter where the memorial is we should support it,” agrees Beattie’s cousin Julian Moran of Flanders who has served as a technical sergeant in the Air Force Reserves for the past eight years. “It’s just sort of inherent for being in the military,” says Moran, as she says it was her obligation to attend the ceremony.

“You want to be there to support them and give back as well,” says Moran.

“I wanted to come,” says 10-year-old Emily Beattie who has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. “I’ve never been to anything like this before. It’s fun kind of. I was feeling sad for their family.”

Kaitlin Compano, another 10-year-old Girl Scout, says “I wanted to see how they do a memorial service. I liked it; it was really nice. I also felt really bad for the family members.”

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