Mayor Dominick Pangallo and the Salem Veterans Council for the City of Salem will be hosting its 2025 Memorial Day Ceremony in Salem on May 26, 2025 at 11:00am. Mayor Pangallo and the Salem Veterans Council invite the community to attend the annual Memorial Day ceremony to be held outside at the corner of English and Cousins Streets for the dedication of a veteran square in honor of US Navy Seaman 1st Class Anthony Frank Pydynkowski.

Anthony Frank Pydynkowski was born July 10, 1916, and initially served for six years in the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted in the United States Navy on March 11, 1940, and was assigned to the USS William B. Preston (AVD-7), a destroyer/seaplane tender. On February 19, 1942, while at anchor off the coast of Darwin Australia, the USS Preston and the Allied fleet were attacked by a large force of Japanese bombers. The USS Preston was hit as it attempted to make for the open sea, resulting in eleven men killed, two missing, and three wounded. Seaman First Class (S1C) Pydynkowski suffered third degree burns in the attack and later died of his injuries.  He was buried at sea. S1C Pydynkowski’s awards include the Purple Heart, the Victory Medal, and the American Defense Service Medal.

All are cordially invited to the ceremony and a collation at the VFW on Derby Street immediately afterwards.