Bill Makowski
Oct 16, 1951 - Oct 21, 1071
50th Anniversary Celebration of Life Memorial - Oct 21, 2021
Bill Makowski's memorial ceremony was held graveside at 2:00 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY. Colonel Wolf Kutter (Bill's commanding officer in Vietnam) gave the main address, honoring Bill as the true hero he was in Vietnam. Following Colonel Kutter's remarks, tributes from childhood friends and family were offered. Dizzy Blais presented his original poetry as part of the tribute to this Gold Star Family. A 21 gun salute concluded the ceremony, followed by the playing of Taps.
Bill's parents and one sister followed him in death previously so the family was represented at the events by Bill's niece, Laurie, and her husband, Eric. Bill's surviving older sister was unable to attend but enjoyed the video of the ceremony with her son (Bill's nephew) later that evening. Afterward, her son presented her with a Gold Star Family yellow rose, on behalf of Bill and the Angry Skipper brothers.
Approximately 40 people attended, including 5 Angry Skipper vets + 4 wives in addition to Bill's family, neighborhood and high school friends, along with a number of local veterans (some 1st Cav) who did not know Bill personally but learned of the memorial ceremony and attended to pay honor to Bill. Channel 4 News Buffalo reported on the event (link below).
Later that evening, approximately 40 guests attended a dinner gathering for family, vets, and friends held at the F.J.Donovan American Legion Post in Cheektowaga, NY. An Angry Skipper memorial quilt was presented to the family, along with a memorial poster created by Kirk Davis. It was an emotional day followed by a great evening of remembering Bill, sharing stories, and learning more about Bill, his family, and friends back home in Buffalo.
Bill Makoski - we will never forget.
You personify our motto:
"Honor and Courage".
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
You personify our motto:
"Honor and Courage".
"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Memorial address by Colonel Wolf Kutter
| bill_makowski_commemoration_kutter.pdf |
Click here for WIVB Channel 4 News Buffalo report on the memorial
Images of all events follow below.
You may watch the video of the entire cemetery ceremony at the bottom of this page.
Images of all events follow below.
You may watch the video of the entire cemetery ceremony at the bottom of this page.
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Video of the complete cemetery ceremony below