Latest news with #EastSyracuse
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two pets rescued from house fire in East Syracuse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — A call went out around 5 p.m. Friday, June 7, reporting a fire in the 100 block of West Ellis Street, off North Center Street in the Village of East Syracuse. Firefighters rescued two pets from inside the home. The fire chief said no one was hurt, and the fire started in the kitchen of a first floor apartment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local Veteran Reflects on the Honor and Duty of Flag Retirement
NORTH SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)—As Americans prepare to honor the fallen this Memorial Day by flying the stars and stripes, many may not know what to do when their flag becomes too worn or faded to fly. For Syracuse veteran Raymond Persons, the answer is both sacred and straightforward: the flag must be respectfully and carefully retired. 'There's a lot of my family members that have gone and served all over the country,' he says. 'In whatever branch of service.' At his local VFW post, Raymond collects flags that are too worn to fly. Each one has its own story. Once they have enough, members of the post gather for a quiet ceremony: They build a fire structure, fold each flag into a triangle, and place them atop the kindling. It's a ritual rooted in reverence—and for Raymond, in remembrance. 'My grandfather served in WWII in the Pacific,' he says. 'He hadn't died in combat, but he has since passed. So it just gives me an opportunity to remember him and his sacrifice, and what he did.' There's no crowd. No cameras. No loud speeches. Just the warmth of the flames and the soft sound of fabric catching fire. The ceremony is guided by tradition, and by the U.S. Flag Code, which calls for old flags to be disposed of in a 'dignified way, preferably by burning.' But for Raymond, it's about more than rules. It's about values. 'I think it's important,' he says. 'With the fast-paced society and everyone being super busy all the time, to bring attention back to those who sacrificed and served our country—and continue to do so.' While the Central New York Memorial Day Watchfire—once a signature public event at the New York State Fairgrounds—has been canceled this year, veterans like Raymond still keep the tradition alive in small, personal ways. You can drop off worn or faded American flags at several locations for respectful retirement: Valley American Legion Post 1468 – 110 Academy Street, Syracuse Cicero American Legion Post – 5575 Legionnaire Drive, Cicero East Syracuse Post – 135 W. Manlius Street, East Syracuse Skaneateles Post – 1 Wainwright Lane Syracuse University's National Veterans Resource Center – Waverly Avenue (Lobby drop box, M–F 8:00 AM–4:30 PM) These organizations ensure every flag is handled with honor—just as Raymond and his fellow veterans believe it should be. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
