50 years later, cherry trees continue to be memorial to those who fell in Vietnam

Idling motorists admiring the cherry blossoms at the busy intersection of Park Avenue and Route 25A in Huntington may not realize the flowers are part of a living memorial planted 50 years ago for residents who were killed in action in the Vietnam War.

The grove of flowering Kwanzan cherry trees dotting the landscape on the southwest corner was first planted on June 11, 1972, following a fundraising drive by Huntington Women in Support of Our Men in Vietnam who then donated the trees to the town.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the plantings this year, Town officials will host a brunch at a local hotel and a celebration at the site.

The mission of the founders of the now-disbanded organization, Joy Wellman and Carol Bruhns, was simple: to support the servicemen who were serving their country, said Linda Guido, 75, who joined the organization in 1967 to accompany her mother-in-law, Carmella, when Linda’s brother-in-law Joseph went to Vietnam.

“Neither of them had family in the war; they were just so disturbed by the treatment that these young men were receiving that motivated them,” Guido said. “Joy put an ad in the Pennysaver looking to see if there was anyone interested in helping her to form the organization Carol answered the ad and as a result it formed and it grew."

William Ober, chairman of the town’s veterans advisory board, said when the group was established in 1966, its members focused on sending care packages overseas to the veterans but as the war was winding down in the early 1970s, they changed course.

“They decided something needed to be done locally to recognize those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Ober said. “So, they decided to plant those Kwanzan cherry trees, and they did.”

According to a clip from the Newsday archives from 1971, the trees were chosen with a purpose. A president of the group, Vera Jennings, explained that in Asia a cherry tree is the traditional memorial to a soldier. The blossoms don’t wither but fall at the height of their blossoming, like young men in war.

In addition to the trees, within the grove are two plaques dedicated in 1972 and 1999 with the names of those killed in the conflict.

Attending this year’s ceremony will be Alice Krauss Willer, 67, who grew up on Third Street in Huntington Station but who now lives in Derwood, Maryland.

Her brother, Marine Maj. Walter Krauss Jr., was 33 when he died in Vietnam in 1967. Willer was just 12 but remembers vividly the original dedication of the trees.

“It was heart-wrenching,” she said about that day. “But we, my parents, were so so grateful.”

She said Walter was the eldest of seven children and played baseball for Huntington High School, Florida Southern College and the Marine Corps.

“He was like the star of the family,” Willer said. “Everything he did turned to gold.”

Willer said a living memorial is especially comforting. People may not realize as they are admiring the pink blossoms that they are actually remembering those who died.

“It makes me feel good that no matter if I’m there or not or if I’m having a busy day, someone is always remembering,” she said. “They’re not forgotten.”