Lives Lost: At veterans' home, towering legacies of the dead

https://apnews.com/43b5a0240fdf9e091069121a2f5f66cd

Each of their stories was different, but common strains repeat: Of humility and generosity; of finding joy in the unpretentious; of a sharp mind disappearing into fog or a hale body betrayed by age.In their final years, these veterans found their place at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in Massachusetts. And in their final days, as the coronavirus engulfed the home and killed more than 70, they found battle again.

Left behind by these victims of the pandemic are those who were blessed by their kindnesses. Memorial Day dawns for the first time without them here, and a new emptiness pervades the little Cape Cods and prim colonials they once shared. At these doorsteps, they were heroes not for valor, not for the enemies they defeated, but for the tenderness they showed. Peek through their bay windows and screen doors and bedroom panes. There is no blizzard of ticker tape, no gunfire of salute, just a void, a hole, a chasm of what’s been lost.EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of an ongoing series of stories remembering people who have died from coronavirus around the world.

Goldman used a projector to cast large images of the veterans onto the homes of their loved ones, who looked out from doors and windows. The resulting portraits show both the towering place each veteran held in their loved ones’ lives — and the sadness left behind. Here are their stories:Alfred Healy, 91, loved corny jokes and adored his family. He listened to audiobooks constantly and closely followed the news. He devoured history and was quick with facts on U.S. presidents. He was humble.

aedurkinricher DavidGoldmanAP (hi sent DM request to Alanna, looking for help today if possible to supplement this story with audio for local NPR here in Boston, thanks!)

DavidGoldmanAP ❤🌷

DavidGoldmanAP Powerful.

DavidGoldmanAP The Trump Administration and GOP are finishing off the Greatest Generation (over 96) and officially silencing the Silent Generation (75-95), so NOW it’s time for the Baby Boomers (56-74) to stand up to him and then vote with the rest of us!

DavidGoldmanAP

DavidGoldmanAP 🥺 This should not have been this way.

DavidGoldmanAP This is such a tragedy!!! Makes me ask again what's happening to our service men and women are they dying at these rates also. Considering thier all packed in together also just like our nursing homes

DavidGoldmanAP Ad their names to the list of brave Americans that deadbeat Donald, the coward has killed.

DavidGoldmanAP And Trump wants to split everything to get more money, he will get more dead more hungry

DavidGoldmanAP 😢💔

DavidGoldmanAP Oh Father in Heaven. My allergies are in overdrive. Bless this photographer.

DavidGoldmanAP I live is Springfield, Next city over. The total deaths as of today ar the Soldiers home is 101 killed by the Coronavirus.

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