Memorial Day observed: North Country honors those who gave all
TWO SERVICES HELD NEAR ELIZABETHTOWN
ELIZABETHTOWN — American Legion Post 113 conducted two Memorial Day services, Monday.
The first was at the Essex County Veterans Cemetery in Wadhams. At the end of first service, the participants moved to the Village Park in Elizabethtown.
Newman Tryon American Legion Adjutant emceed the ceremonies and read a list of those who gave their lives for our country from the towns of Lewis and Elizabethtown.
Tryon recounted the history of the Essex County Veterans Cemetery in Wadhams which has interred 103 Veterans in its 19 years. He also thanked Danny and Angie Wallace who spearheaded the Hometown Heroes banners program every year.
Rev. David Sullivan of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, himself a Veteran, officiated at both the opening and closing prayers.
Ash White lifted her voice in singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Representing the Legion Auxiliary Lena Robetoy placed a wreath at the WWII monument.
Amid crosses signifying America's wars and conflicts the program concluded with the playing of 'Taps.'
Heroes remembered in Keene Valley
KEENE — At the foot of the Adirondack's Great Range in Keene Veterans Monument Park American Legion Post 1312 Commander Tom Both told of the purpose of Memorial Day.
Rev. Susie Allen led those gathered for a moment of prayer. Peter Slocum gave a short history of Veterans of early Keene. Amy & Peter Nelson lifted their voices in singing 'America the Beautiful.'
Rev. Allen said, 'They left our peaceful Valley to protect freedom and justice. Each hoped that their conflict to be the last for peace of all mankind.'
Slocum traced Keene's heroes going back to the Revolutionary War. In particular there was Eli Hull who at age 12 tried to enlist, but General Washington would not allow it. However Hull and three sons enlisted for the War of 1812 in Plattsburgh.
A traditional Legion ceremony was provided by Post 1312 Chaplain Robert Lewis and Commander Emeritus Larry House. This was followed by the Borealis singers performing, a simple but powerful message, 'Dona Nobis Pacem,' (Grant us Peace); the refrain of which is repeated as the only lyrics.
A salute by the Post 1312 Rifle Squad echoed through the hillside as did. 'Taps' performed by Lynn Dewalt.
Perhaps the most poignant moment of the ceremony was the song, 'Travelin Soldier,' sung by Lauren Whitney accompanied by Amy Nelson on guitar. It tells the story of an 18 year-old soldier heading to Vietnam.
He meets a waitress with whom he corresponds.
At a football game at the girl's high school after the National Anthem and Lord's Prayer, the local soldiers who died in the war are announced. The soldier's name is on the list, but only the girl recognizes his name. She mourns for him as stated in the line 'One name read and nobody really cared but a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair,' a scenario that has unfortunately been repeated countless times.
SOLDIERS HONORED, EULOGIZED IN WESTPORT
WESTPORT — The morning fog emanating from nearby Lake Champlain added another dimension to remembrances of the past and those who gave their lives for this country.
The program started with Felix Haskins performing 'America the Beautiful' on the cello. This was followed by Westport Town Supervisor Michael Tyler welcoming more than 125 in attendance and leading them in the 'Pledge of Allegiance.' Ashley Rodriguez sang 'The Star Spangled Banner' which was followed by Pastor Barbara Jackson of the Westport federated Church giving the invocation.
Jackson said in part, 'We give thanks to those who saw the need and stepped up. They gave the most precious gift they had. Help us be worthy of their sacrifices.'
The keynote speaker was Lt. Col. (retired) Andrew Beal who served three deployments in Iraq and two in Afghanistan, while receiving three Bronze Stars.
Beal eulogized the heroics of WWI Army Veteran William W. Morrison, Sr. and WWII Army Veteran Frank Dougal.
Morrison was with the 76th Infantry known as the Liberty Bell Division. He survived trench warfare while living in foxholes on the front lines. 'He never asked for glory,' said Beal.
Dougal was with the combat engineers Keystone Division in Normandy and the Ardennes Forest. His unit had to crawl through mines and booby traps with machine gun fire strafing overhead. Then it was off to liberate Paris and on to Germany where they encountered what was called 'the Hurricane Force.'
There were many casualties as they slogged through knee deep mud. On Dec. 17, 1944, Dougal and many of his comrades were captured during the Battle of the Bulge. He then endured the horrors of a POW camp before being liberated.
Veterans George Maffey and Dick Fritz laid wreaths, followed by Taylor Haskins playing 'Taps' and final remarks by Tyler and a benediction by Pastor Jackson.
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