Tech Valley News
Vets Honored in Ceremonies Throughout Area
Veterans' Day historically commemorates the end of World War I and provides an opportunity to honor this nation’s veterans. Throughout the region, ceremonies, parades and other events were held to recognize those who fought for their country.
Here is just a sampling of the events that occurred around Tech Valley.
Over the three-day Veterans’ Day holiday weekend, hundreds of people descended on the Purple Heart Hall Heart of Honor in New Windsor to pay tribute to those who were wounded or gave their lives in defense of the country.
School bands and ensembles and U.S. Military Academy Band performed during the day. There was also a demonstration of weaponry from different periods and personnel costumed in uniforms of different wars and eras spoke.
“This place is unique; it is an experiment in time,” Michael Ali, who received two Purple Heart medals for the time he served during the Vietnam War, told the Mid-Hudson News Network. “It’s not about the war; it’s not about the conflict. It’s about the individual Purple Heart recipient, but more than the Purple Heart recipient, it’s about the family.”
So far, 70,000 of the 1.7 million Purple Heart recipients have been registered since the Hall of Honor opened last November.
During the annual Kingston Veterans’ Day service at City Hall, three soldiers were awarded medals they had earned but never received. U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey presented the medals to Korean War veteran Edward Palladino of Kingston, World War II veteran Franklin Clum of Cementon and World War II veteran Thomas Rizzo of Highland.
“On this Veterans’ Day, we honor and respect everyone who served as a veteran in the United States’ military, and in doing so, it’s a great pleasure to recognize all of the heroic actions of these three men and the medals that they have deserved so long and finally received today,” Hinchey said.
Hudson Valley Community College held its first flag raising ceremony in more than 20 years to honor young veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 200 veterans attend the college which recently formed an Armed Forces Club, geared toward helping veterans take advantage of their benefits.
“A lot of veterans are coming to the school right now. We are in a war, so let's honor the past and present," HVCC Armed Forces Club President Todd Suriano told Capital News 9.
At the Gurtler Brothers VFW Post 420 Veterans' Day Service at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs, veterans were honored and the city showcased additions to the park's Veterans War Memorial. It now features a a paved walkway leading to a ring of six flags and six bronze emblems mounted on granite pedestals representing each branch of the U.S. armed forces.
"We can never forget our Veterans who made the supreme sacrifice in keeping us, our country free," Raymond Waldron, a Korean War Veteran, told Capital News 9.
In honor of the men and women who have served their country, the Van Shaik Grade School in Cohoes hosted their first-ever “Bring A Vet to School Day.” Veterans visited the school, participated in the ceremonies and talked with students about their wartime experiences.
“It was very enlightening for me to see the how much attention they pay to Veterans' Day,” William Langston, a World War II veteran, told Capital News 9.
Folts Homes and the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home in Herkimer honored veterans who live in the homes and work within the organizations. Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce John Scarano, an Army veteran, served as master of ceremonies.
“The freedom families have, sacrifices, dedication and willingness to be there, it is important to recognize and say thank you,” Herkimer Mayor Mark Ainsworth told the Herkimer Telegram.
The Herkimer Veterans Day service was held in Myers Park. Three flowers were placed at the monument in the park; a red one to represent the blood shed during war time, a white one for purity, and a blue flower to represent eternity. A wreath was then laid at the base of the monument.
“Every veteran, whether it be from World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, or Iraq, remembers what they went through. It's up to us to let them know that we also remember,” said Tina Cirelli, guest speaker at the event.
The ceremony also remembered those who were or are prisoners of war or missing in action.
In Frankfort, a ceremony was held at the VFW to dedicate a new flagpole. A wreath was laid at the monument at the post to remember the survivors of Pearl Harbor and an American flag was hung from the new flagpole.
In Red Hook, services at the Red Hook Memorial Park honored the country's veterans as members of the Red Hook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7765 placed wreaths at the park.
“We need to honor those who serve and those who continue to serve,” Bill Moore, post commander for the Red Hook VFW, told the Poughkeepsie Journal.
In Poughkeepsie, American Legion Post 37 had a Veterans Day observance at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Fountain.
“You have to keep the tide going," Elva Girton, commander of Post 37, told the Poughkeepsie Journal. “We have to do this because it's not just a day for shopping. It's a day for remembrance.”
“Every day - not just today - we should take the time to recognize the service and sacrifice,” State Sen. Steve Saland during the event.
The Dutchess County War Memorial committee held its annual Veterans Day program at John K. Rinaldi Memorial Park which included a tribute by the Arlington Middle School students, vocal performance by Andrea Hammerling and an address by Sakima Brown, commander of the Dutchess County Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The Town of Fishkill and Fishkill VFW Post 1286 hosted a Veterans Day ceremony, featuring guest speaker Paula Zwilliger from the Semper Fi Parents. A dedication of the town's new War Memorial Park also took place.
In Tupper Lake, veterans, active and retired members of the armed forces and the public joined for a Veterans Day ceremony at the war memorial on Park Street.
“We recognize that all our veterans have given something of themselves to this country,” said Ben Peets, a 45-year U.S. Army veteran. “Some have given all—laying down their lives in the defense of liberty.
“Our veterans have paid with their courage and honor. They have defended America through both the best and worst of times, and they have performed their difficult duties tirelessly, with little recognition. A simple love of country and liberty compelled them to serve this great nation of ours.”
Tupper Lake civic organizations laid wreaths at the base of the war monument to honor local veterans.
In Plattsburgh, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125 held a MIA/POW remembrance and the Gold Star Mothers for POW/MIA placed of wreaths, Steven W. Bowman, director of Clinton County Veterans Service Agency and Post 179 commander spoke.
In Wadhams, a Veterans Day observance was held at the newly established Essex County Veterans Cemetery to memorialize a World War II hero. Members from the Mineville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5802; the Lake Placid, Elizabethtown and Lewis American Legion posts; and Essex County Leathernecks participated in the event. A military burial service was held for decorated World War II veteran Cpl. Richard F. McDonald, who wished to have his remains rest in a veterans cemetery. Seven veterans have been interred in the cemetery.
At St. Agnes cemetery in Troy, a replacement headstone of a Civil War veteran Thomas D. Smullen was unveiled. The ceremony marked the start of the Civil War Restoration Project at St. Agnes. The goal of the project is to locate, research service information and restore the markers of all Civil War veterans. Many original marble headstones are nearly indecipherable due to time, weather, and other factors.
“When you see this being done, you realize that the nation does not forget about its very important veterans," Col. Kevin R. Moore, U.S. Army commander of the Watervliet Arsenal told The Record.
“It is up to us, this generation and on this Veteran's day, to make sure the memory of these individuals does not disappear with the ravages of our time,” State Assemblyman John J. McEneny said.
In Albany, the annual Veterans Day Parade was led by members of the Albany Police Department and featured demonstrations and performances from local high school marching bands, military academies, scout troops and veterans associations. World War II veteran John Schillaci was the grand marshal of the parade which was held for the 52nd consecutive year.
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