For Six Arlington Veterans, the Final Roll Call

In a solemn reminder of why America celebrates Veterans Day, a crowd gathered at the Clarendon War Memorial on Monday to witness the final roll call for six fallen troops from Arlington.

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Members of American Legion Posts 139, 194 and 85, along with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3150 together dedicated a temporary plaque bearing the names of the servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Officers in the groups answered, "Here, sir!" when their own names were called, and then took turns at the podium calling the name of each fallen soldier, sailor and Marine.

They called each name three times: first, by last name only; then, by first and last name; and finally by first name, middle initial and last name.

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Joel E. Baldwin

U.S. Army Capt. Michael P. Cassidy

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Niall W. Coti-Sears

U.S. Army Pfc. Adam M. Kuligowski

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Sean P. O'Connor

U.S. Army Lt. Col. James Walton

After each name, silence. Then, "They are not here! They are no longer with us!" Taps followed after a brief reading of how each man died serving his country.

"It was simple and elegant. It was a great honor," Jessica Cassidy, whose brother is among those honored on the plaque, told Patch. "Mike would've liked it. And I'm sure he did."

Cassidy died June 17, 2010, in Iraq at age 42. It was his third tour — he'd already served once in Iraq and also in South Korea — but his first tour as a physician assistant, his father, Henry, said. He'd been in the Army for eight years.

"I think it's wonderful," Henry Cassidy said of Monday's dedication. "I'm just amazed how many people are out for this. I'm touched."

Bill Kelly, the junior vice commander of the local VFW post, said the names of the six individuals on the temporary plaque were either from Arlington or the Defense Department listed Arlington as their home of record.

"It's part of our legacy to honor veterans, living and dead," Kelly told Patch. "With the wars in Iraq over and Afghanistan wrapping up, we didn't want to wait years to honor them … as has happened in the past."

The VFW and local American Legion posts are in the process of raising money to have the names cast on a bronze plaque that will be permanently installed on the war memorial. It will be placed under the World War I plaque facing the Silver Diner.

American Legion Post 139 has been holding seasonal dances at 3445 Washington Blvd. to help raise funds. So far, they've raised about $1,000. The next dance, which is open to the public, is in January.

A cost estimate for the permanent plaque hasn't yet been obtained. Sadly, it can't be finalized and placed until hostilities cease in case any more names need to be added. (The last American to die in support of Operation Enduring Freedom was a 35-year-old sergeant from Kansas a little more than a week ago.)

Susan Coti, whose son, Niall, is one of the six named on the Arlington plaque, said it was difficult to listen to the final roll call. 

"That got to me," she said. "It was really touching and beautiful and a great tribute to our fallen heroes from Arlington."

Niall Coti-Sears died on June 23, 2012 — two days after his 23rd birthday.

Immediately following the dedication Monday, the various American Legion and VFW posts and several auxiliary groups placed wreaths at the memorial in Clarendon Central Park.

The groups hold wreath-laying ceremonies every Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

"It's important that we show the public we still remember," said Klaus Dahlke, a past commander of American Legion Post 139.