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Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wilbraham honors fallen soldiers at Memorial Day ceremony
WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) – Ceremonies are taking place across western Massachusetts this Memorial Day weekend. The town of Wilbraham gathered on Sunday to remember, honor, and show respect for fallen soldiers ahead of Memorial Day. 'We have days in which we honor our veterans, we have days in which we honor other servicemen and women,' said State Senator Jake Oliveira. 'But on this day, we honor those who made their sacrifice with their own lives.' LIST: Community events to honor fallen veterans on Memorial Day The 2024 Wilbraham Veteran of the Year, U.S. Air Force Veteran Kathleen Kennedy, helped to lay the wreath at this year's event. She told 22News what it means as a veteran to feel the support of the community. 'It is impressive, because unfortunately, if you look around the country, you don't find it everywhere,' Kennedy said. 'And it seems every year it just gets larger and larger, it just swells. I think it says a lot about the people of Wilbraham.' Senator Oliveira makes sure the community remembers the true meaning of Memorial Day, sharing what this day means for him through a story of a childhood friend. Oliveira's friend, Sergeant Josh Desforges, gave his life for his country in Afghanistan in 2010. 'Josh always wanted to be a Marine, even when we were growing up,' Oliveira said. 'He was a member of the Young Marines at Westover Air Force Base. He was someone that always wanted to serve his nation, and on his fourth tour of duty, he gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and for our freedom.' Oliveira helped to pass recent state legislation ensuring that Gold Star families and spouses are supported for the sacrifice their loved one made. 'Prior to the passage of this law, Gold Star spouses were not eligible for the annuity benefit if they remarried after they lost their spouse,' Oliveira said. 'We closed that loophole last week in the legislature.' Part of Sunday's ceremony also recognized the Prisoners of War, displayed with a table set for one. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Remembering the nation's heroes
beckley – 'The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.' — Calvin Coolidge. The 20th anniversary of the LZRainelle Veterans Reunion in Rainelle is one of several events which will provide residents in the region opportunities to pay homage to those who have given their lives to protect the country's freedom. Also, the Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum and the American Legion Post 32 Veterans Cemetery will be sites for several Memorial Day weekend events. The LZRainelle event commenced Thursday and will run through Monday, May 26. Run For The Wall is an organized cross-country motorcycle ride to honor veterans, their families and friends and to raise awareness of those still missing — Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA). After the Run For The Wall riders arrived Thursday and spent some time with Rainelle Elementary students and members of the public, they continued their journey to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to Emma Michelinie, chair of the LZRainelle Veterans Reunion committee. But, that doesn't put an end to the Greenbrier County activities. Riders representing Task Force Omega (TFO) of Kentucky, which was part of the group that launched Run For The Wall in 1989, will remain in Rainelle the rest of the weekend and take part in events. TFO will hold a service at Ponderosa Lodge on Rte. 60 before they depart the area on Sunday. Other than the arrival and departure of the phalanx of riders Thursday, another prime highlight of the weekend in Rainelle was Friday night's anticipated candlelight memorial service at the Mountaineer Veterans Garden of Honor. In that scenario, thousands of flags, one representing each West Virginia soldier killed in action from World War I to present day, are displayed at the intersection of Rte. 60 and Rte. 20, on the hillside in front of Rainelle Medical Center. The display features about 1,000 solar lights, and organizers call it 'spectacular by day, serene by night.' It is on full display through Memorial Day. An annual parade will begin at noon Saturday in Rainelle, with lineup starting at 11 a.m. Entries will be accepted to the time of lineup. 'The more, the better,' said Michelinie. West Virginia Gold Star Mothers will lead the parade as grand marshals. The parade will be graded by a point system, with a grand prize being awarded to the most patriotic entry, as well as winners in each of eight categories. Money prizes will be awarded. Other Saturday highlights will include a Beckley Sno Biz food booth, music from Thomas Wayne Danley, Hidden Mountain Treasures and Goodson Boys, a bicycle contest, the annual murbles tournament and a fireworks display. Throughout the weekend, visitors to Rainelle are encouraged to view the Greenbrier County Gold Star Mothers' Living Memorial Apple Orchard on Simms Mountain Road (3290 Tincher Road, Rainelle, WV 25962). Michelinie said 'there's no words' to describe what the reunion weekend and activities mean to the community and to veterans and their families themselves. Locals continuing to put action behind their appreciation for those who have died defending their country is crucial, she said. LZRainelle was established in 2005. For more information on the schedule of events, visit • • • The Raleigh County Veterans and First Responders Museum (201 South Eisenhower Drive, Beckley, WV 25801) will be open over the Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be many displays, as well as special guests and raffles for items and gifts. There is no admission cost; however, donations are appreciated. The schedules is as follows: • Saturday, May 24: Place flags on headstones at the Veterans Cemetery, 9 a.m.; museum open for visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Sunday, May 25: Museum open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; candlelight service at the Veterans Cemetery, 8 p.m. • Monday, May 26: Museum open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; honor flags display, 12 p.m. Individuals can meet at the American Legion Post 32 Veterans Cemetery at 9 a.m. on Saturday to place flags on all of the headstones. Coffee, hot cocoa and doughnuts will be supplied. On Sunday, May 25, the candlelight service will be staged at the cemetery at 8 p.m. The event will feature a short concert of patriotic music by the Salvation Army's Beckley Brass Band. After the music, candlelights will be placed on each of the headstones. There is some seating, and refreshments will be provided. For information, call Ron Hedrick at 304-228-6939. Notes: • The Dandelion Festival in White Sulphur Springs will run through Sunday, May 25. The activities on Sunday will include a veterans luncheon at Paisley Park (12 to 1:30 p.m.), to be catered by The Schoolhouse Hotel, and a veterans memorial service on the Main Stage (2 to 3 p.m.). • The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve will open up the Thurmond Depot and the Grandview Visitor Center on Saturday, May 24, and both will be open through the Memorial Day weekend, according to a park spokesperson. Summer hours for both those facilities will be: Thurmond — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., open Wednesday to Sunday; and Grandview — 12 to 5 p.m., open Friday to Sunday. Thurmond Depot tours will start next week at 11 a.m. on days the depot is open. There will also be afternoon talks at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and pop-up programs at Sandstone and Grandview.
Daily Express
29-04-2025
- General
- Daily Express
80th Anzac Day at refurbished Memorial Pavilion
Published on: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Apr 29, 2025 By: Mardinah Jikur Text Size: Vivian (left) and Danielle officiate the memorial pavilion. SANDAKAN: This year's 80th Anzac Day (April 25) in honour of the some 2,600 Allied soldiers who died in the infamous forced Death March from here to Ranau by their Japanese captors during the closing stage of World War Two was held at a 'new' Memorial Park Interpretive Pavillion. The original pavilion was built in 1999, predominantly of hardwood. But due to the harsh tropical climate, it was demolished in 2023 as it had reached the end of its usable life and rebuilt in 2024 from termite and weather-resistant materials. The original dedication plaques were retained. To preserve the heritage of the original pavilion, some features were incorporated into the refurbished pavilion, including the timber cladding used on the wall, the wooden seats (inside and outside the pavilion), decorative gates to the left of the main entrance and stained-glass window. Sandakan Member of Parliament Vivian Wong thanked the Australian Government for giving the funds to renovate the pavilion. The first group of Prisoners of War arrived at Sandakan in July 1942, and more came in April 1943. They were those who surrendered in Malaya and Singapore. 'Some locals risked their life to help the PoWs by smuggling food, medicines and messages into the prison camp.' Only six Prisoners of War survived the ordeal. Others who escaped died in the jungle or in shelters the local people provided them. Many starved to death, died from sickness or disease or were murdered while marching through the jungle. 'Each man who survived owed his life to the brave local people who sheltered and cared for them until they could be rescued,' he said. The survivors provided a record of the atrocities committed against the PoWs and many testified against their tormenters in war crimes trials later. Meanwhile, Alban Joseph Lagan, son of Lagan Arnesto, said his father was among those who helped the POWs and paid for it with his life. He was executed with several others at Batu Lintang camp in Sarawak, where he was staken. He said he was only 7 then and saw the PoWs being marched to their deaths in front of their house in St Mary and would not forget the memory. 'Sabah and Sandakan in particular, hold a special place in this shared history, and we remain committed to preserving that legacy through respect, education, and continued bilateral engagement,' said Frankie Poon. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Independent
14-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Revealed: Ukraine's red lines for any peace deal with Putin
Ukraine has drawn up a series of red lines as the US tries to hammer out a ceasefire deal with Russia, The Independent understands. After three years of war, the world is waiting to see if the 30-day plan accepted by Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday will find common ground with Vladimir Putin. High-level Ukrainian sources briefed on the ongoing talks are warning there is little trust that Russia will accept a reasonable deal, adding: 'We expect another trick.' Despite Donald Trump describing 'good and productive' talks with Russia on Friday, Putin has been accused of using delaying tactics by raising 'nuances' and further questions as well as suggesting that Ukraine would not be permitted to rearm, mobilise or receive Western military aid during the truce. But Ukraine is understood to be clear on several key areas of negotiation if the war is to stop. They include: No further territory to be ceded, despite Putin's desire to take four Ukrainian regions partially occupied by the Russian military since 2014 The return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia The return of thousands of civilians illegally held by Russia, who are not considered Prisoners of War and so would not be included in PoW exchanges A need for international security guarantees, should Putin infringe any ceasefire deal Ukrainian officials are concerned that Russia's stalling is nothing more than a 'game from their side'. 'We are really willing to make peace, but we need a long-lasting peace, not a short ceasefire. We do not want our children fighting this battle,' said the senior source, who cannot be named as they are not permitted to speak to the media. 'Putin is playing games. We have made a strong move – now it is his turn. 'We have proved we are reasonable; we are willing to have peace – if Russia doesn't agree, the whole world will see they are liars.' One key point of contention is the return of tens of thousands of children, whom Ukraine says have been abducted to Russia as part of an effort to erase the country's identity. Kyiv claims that it knows of at least 20,000 children that have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians since the war began, calling the abductions a war crime that meets the UN treaty definition of genocide. Another issue is Putin's demands that in any deal, Ukraine cede the entirety of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk which have been partially occupied by Russian military since 2014. In the months after the full-scale 2022 invasion, Moscow 'annexed' these regions by holding referendums in the areas they occupied, which were widely dismissed by the international community as illegal and coerced. The US secretary of state Marco Rubio said there had been talk of territorial concessions in the negotiations with Ukraine this week and has previously said Kyiv must expect to give up land. Ukrainian officials told The Independent they had come to terms with the current battle lines freezing, with Russia holding on to some territory for now for a ceasefire to work, but ceding any additional territory would be a red line. 'It is not reasonable to demand that, for example, Zaporizhzhia or Kherson be fully handed over – that sounds like a f*** off to us.' They said fate of these territories held by Russia since the invasion in February 2022 was not sealed. 'We will do our best to retake it with diplomacy.' At his news conference on Thursday, Putin said Russia supported the idea of a ceasefire, but with the caveat that it should lead to long-term peace and eliminate the root causes of the conflict. He also suggested there were a number of 'nuances', including in Kursk, where a truce would be 'very good' for the Ukrainian side. The Kremlin later said Putin was 'cautiously optimistic' after holding late-night talks in Moscow with Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, on the US proposal. Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Mr Zelensky, echoed the distrust of Putin, saying his words looked like a 'direct desire to continue the war'. He said it effectively forced Ukraine to 'give up its weapons, army, mobilisation, and supplies of equipment, and simply silently watch as [Russians] continue to 'peacefully' fire along the entire front line…' President Zelensky said on Friday that while he saw a good chance to end the war with Russia, he feared Putin would try to drag the ceasefire proposal into endless discussions. He urged the US and Ukraine's other allies to apply pressure on Russia. On Friday, the G7 nations, including the UK, warned Moscow to follow Kyiv in agreeing to the US-proposed 30-day ceasefire or face further sanctions, according to a draft statement. Mr Trump again pressed Russia to sign and complete "a ceasefire and final agreement", saying on his private social media platform on Friday that he would extract the U.S. from what he called a "real 'mess' with Russia". In Ukraine, there are deep concerns about the impact of a ceasefire and freezing of lines on the fate of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children, who they say have either been forcibly taken to Russia or swallowed up into occupied territories during the full-scale invasion. One of the key demands for the deal is that these children be retrieved and that the policies of 'Russification' – including forced passport adoption and re-education camps – be stopped. The UK Ministry of Defence said this week that Russia has issued 3.5 million passports to Ukrainians living in illegally Russian-occupied territory, leaving them at risk of conscription into its army. 'While Ukraine fights for survival, Russia is building its army not just with soldiers, but with stolen children,' said Mykola Kuleba from Save Ukraine, an organisation that has managed to locate and retrieve over 600 children since the start of the full-scale invasion, including three teenagers in the last week. 'Over the past 11 years, 1.6 million Ukrainian children have been trapped in Russian-occupied territories. Many have been forcibly taken to Russia. They are indoctrinated in new schools. Their Ukrainian identity is erased, and their minds are filled with hatred for us, the West, the US, and its allies.' Ukrainian civil society is also concerned about Ukrainian PoWs and civilians held in Russian detention centres. The Centre for Civil Liberties, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 for its work, said since the full-scale invasion they know of at least 8,000 civilians in 70 different Russian detention centres in occupied territories and Russia itself. 'The release of civilians should be without conditions as part of the agreement,' said Vyacheslav Likhachev, from the centre, adding that the truce was one of the only chances to retrieve people. 'For more than three years, nothing has been really effective in making Russia release civilians or act in line with international humanitarian law. No sanctions should be lifted without the release of civilians.'
