fbpx
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
    • Get Home Delivery
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Customer Support
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Where’s My Paper?
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Holiday Gift Subscription
Hudson Valley One
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Log In
No Result
View All Result
Hudson Valley One
No Result
View All Result

Saugerties American Legion marks Memorial Day

by David Gordon
June 8, 2021
in Community
0
Saugerties American Legion marks Memorial Day

Firing squad fires a volley to finish the program. (Photos by David Gordon)

Firing squad fires a volley to finish the program. (Photos by David Gordon)
Master of Ceremonies Jim Gage

The Saugerties American Legion holds its Memorial Day service on the actual day, May 30. But due to inclement weather, the activities were moved inside the Lamouree-Hackett Post #72 dining room, which was standing-room only.

The program was moving. Memorial Day honors the soldiers who died in service for their country. Beginning in individual towns and cities shortly after the Civil War, the day was first known as Decoration Day, the day when citizens placed flowers and flags on the graves of soldiers who had died in wars. Ceremonies came to be held on May 30 by tradition, but in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which set Memorial Day as the last Monday in May.

Past commander Jim Gage served as master of ceremonies. Deacon Hank Smith offered an opening prayer: “For all those who had given their lives, for their families and so that we may have the freedoms that we have at this moment.” He asked blessings on “all those who have served, and for those who continue to serve, especially on this day.”

Commander Warren Whitaker reminded the attendees that the day commemorates “those who paid the ultimate price and never came home. We must never forget them.” However, he said, it is also important to honor those veterans who came home with visible wounds and also those who came home with invisible wounds, “and these are the ones who are possible for suicide. If any of you, if anybody knows of a veteran and they are acting out of character, please send them to the VA [Veterans Affairs Department]. There is qualified help there.” Whitaker said there are 6,000 veterans in Ulster County, but only 1,600 are getting help.

The Saugerties Community Band provided a musical background for the observance.
Commander Warren Whitaker

Whitaker thanked Saugerties Town Clerk Lisa Stanley, Supervisor Fred Costello and the Town Board for supplying the veterans with the flags to decorate the graves of 3,026 veterans in Saugerties. He also thanked Mayor Bill Murphy and the Village Board for including the veterans’ organization in next year’s budget. He thanked Ulster County and Frank Reggero of the Ulster County Veterans Service for his help in obtaining grave markers. He thanked the Veterans of Foreign Wars for flowers and the Sons of Post 72 for hanging flowers outside the Post. He thanked the Ladies’ Auxiliary for their support. He finished by naming the 13 cemeteries in the town.

“If we had better weather, we would ask the Auxiliary to place a wreath at the monument of the unknown,” Gage said. He asked the Auxiliary Vice President Eleanor Sawchuck and poppy girl Harley Ryder to place a wreath at an indoor monument.

Gage presented five American Legion scholarship winners with their awards and checks. They included: Kimberly Bartels, Christine Collins, Alex Mores, Nejla Reggero and Jillian Murphy.  Ladies Auxiliary President Cynthia Babb presented the American Legion Auxiliary awards to Jaydon Williams and Anthony DeSilva.

American Legion Chaplain Paul Peyser thanked the students at Grant D. Morse School for a poppy wreath before offering a prayer. The poppies commemorate Memorial Day, Peyser said. “These poppies grew on the battlefield after World War I ended. They are significant this year because it is the centennial for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Inscribed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is ‘here rests in honored glory an American soldier known but to God.’ On October 24, 1921, a soldier buried in France was brought home to America on the USS Olympia. He became the first unknown soldier.” Peyser concluded with a prayer from the Paralyzed Veterans of America. “They answered their country’s call to arms, in the battle they did go. Where their final destination was no one will ever know. May they find their resting place under some unknown sod; be forever hallowed, for it is known only to God.”

Auxiliary Vice President Eileen Sawchuck and poppy girl Harley Ryder lay a wreath.

Gage then read the names of soldiers who have died in all the wars this country fought.

As the Saugerties Community Band, which had performed a number of pieces throughout the day, played the theme songs of the various services, veterans of each of those services gathered at the center of the room.

The program concluded with a benediction from Deacon Smith and the firing of a salute from the post firing squad, the only outdoor part of the day’s activities.

The Color Guard
Chaplain Paul Peyser offers a prayer.
Veterans line up, gathering by branches of the services.
Tags: members
Join the family! Grab a free month of HV1 from the folks who have brought you substantive local news since 1972. We made it 50 years thanks to support from readers like you. Help us keep real journalism alive.
- Geddy Sveikauskas, Publisher
Previous Post

Kingston asks: Should cops patrol school hallways?

Next Post

12th annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration at Bearsville Theater

David Gordon

Related Posts

Inaugural Snow Moon Festival brightens February darkness in Saugerties
Community

Inaugural Snow Moon Festival brightens February darkness in Saugerties

February 6, 2023
YMCA bike repair training class returns to Kingston
Community

YMCA bike repair training class returns to Kingston

February 6, 2023
The equinox and the Harvest Moon
Community

Saugerties Snow Moon parade postponed until Sunday due to weather

February 4, 2023
Visit Kingston’s 12,240-square-foot squat, centrally located with wood-burning fireplace
Community

Visit Kingston’s 12,240-square-foot squat, centrally located with wood-burning fireplace

February 3, 2023
Saugerties to host inaugural Snow Moon Festival February 3 to 5
Community

Saugerties to host inaugural Snow Moon Festival February 3 to 5

February 2, 2023
Not-So-Sweet Fundraiser returns to Saugerties Animal Shelter
Community

Not-So-Sweet Fundraiser returns to Saugerties Animal Shelter

February 1, 2023
Next Post
12th annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration at Bearsville Theater

12th annual Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration at Bearsville Theater

Trending News

  • Saugerties to host inaugural Snow Moon Festival February 3 to 5 2.1k views
  • Visit Kingston’s 12,240-square-foot squat, centrally located with wood-burning fireplace 1.8k views
  • Neighbors protest Ulster County Veterans’ Cemetery flagpole spotlights 765 views
  • Enormous collection of historic Woodstock art opens this Saturday in New Paltz 715 views
  • Dog rescued from Wallkill River’s icy grip 661 views
  • Controversy ensues as KCSD walks back Black History Month opt out language 588 views

Weather

Kingston
◉
30°
Sunny
7:01 am5:18 pm EST
Feels like: 27°F
Wind: 4mph SSW
Humidity: 49%
Pressure: 30.35"Hg
UV index: 2
WedThuFri
48/27°F
39/36°F
55/30°F
Weather forecast Kingston, New York ▸

Subscribe

Independent. Local. Substantive. Subscribe now.

×
You have free article(s) remaining. Subscribe for unlimited access.
View Subscription Offers Sign In
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Sign up for Free Newsletter
  • Print Edition
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Contact
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Free HV1 Trial
  • Holiday Gift Subscription

© 2022 Ulster Publishing

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Crime
    • Politics & Government
  • What’s Happening
    • Calendar Of Events
    • Featured Events
      • Art
      • Books
      • Kids
      • Lifestyle & Wellness
      • Food & Drink
      • Music
      • Nature
      • Stage & Screen
  • Opinions
    • Letters
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Local
    • Special Sections
    • Local History
  • Marketplace
    • All Classified Ads
    • Help Wanted
    • Post a Classified Ad
  • Obituaries
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe & Support
  • Contact Us
    • Customer Support
    • Advertise
    • Submit A News Tip
  • Print Edition
    • Read ePaper Online
    • Newsstand Locations
    • Where’s My Paper
  • HV1 Magazines
  • Manage HV1 Account
  • Log In
  • Free HV1 Trial

© 2022 Ulster Publishing