Wallkill Valley Times Aug. 02 2017 | Página 2

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Wallkill Valley Times , Wednesday , August 2 , 2017
IN THIS ISSUE
Calendar .................
10
Classifieds ................
24
Crossword ................
26
Letters to the Editor ..........
8
Maybrook .................
19
Obituaries ................
22
Opinion ...................
8
Pine Bush .................
18
Police Blotter ...............
4
Service Directory ...........
28
Sports ...................
32
Walden ...................
16
Wallkill .................... 17
Walker Valley ..............
20

Montgomery honors a hero

PUBLIC AGENDA
WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 2 Montgomery Village Board , 7:30 p . m . Village Hall , 133 Clinton Street .
THURSDAY , AUGUST 3 Montgomery Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Government Center , 110 Bracken Road , Montgomery .
TUESDAY , AUGUST 8
Walden Village Board of Trustees , 6:30 p . m . Village Hall , 1 Municipal Square .
WEDNESDAY , AUGUST 9 Shawangunk Town Board , 7 p . m . Town Hall , 14 Central Ave ., Wallkill
THURSDAY , AUGUST 10
Montgomery Town Board Audit / Work Session , 7 p . m . Town Government Center , 110 Bracken Road , Montgomery .
Photos by Torin Olsen
The Rev . Jon Torres , a chaplain for the New York Air National Guard , and pastor of Goodwill Church , spoke at the funeral of Gunnery Sgt . Mark Hopkins on Thursday .
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The Wallkill Valley Times , ( USPS 699-490 ) is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday at Newburgh , N . Y . 12550 , with offices at 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , NY . Single copy : $ 1 at newsstand . By mail in Orange , Ulster or Sullivan Counties : $ 40 annually , $ 44 out of county . Periodicals permit at Newburgh , N . Y . POSTMASTER : Send address changes to Wallkill Valley Times , 300 Stony Brook Court , Newburgh , N . Y . 12550
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“ You might feel an inability to pray ,” Torres said . “ That is normal when we question God as to why he had to take away someone we love .”
Torres turned the congregation ’ s attention to the bible verse found in the ceremony pamphlet , John 3:16 , a favorite of Hopkins .
“ For God so loved the world ,” it read , “ that he gave his one and only Son , that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life .”
After a moment of silence and prayer , Torres gave the floor to the church choir , who proceeded to perform three religious songs Patricia shared to be her and Mark ’ s favorite : “ How Deep is Our Father ’ s Love ,” “ How Great Is Our God ,” and “ Lord I Need You .”
With military servicemen sitting in the right pews , and family and community members on the left , the room filled with passionate voices . Lyrics to each song were projected onto the monitors above the main stage area , fading in and out as guidance to the audience .
“ People who have seen Mark ’ s smile never forget it ,” Torres said . “ His kindness stood out .”
Mark was a passionate participant of services and the church community . As a guitarist , he was easily moved by music , as it had always been a special part of his life .
Robert Hopkins then made his way to the piano placed on the left of the stage . He preceded his musical tribute with words that could only be conveyed by a man who loved his older brother .
“ Thirty-two years , 11 months and 10 days ,” Robert said . “ I had never known a day without Mark before July 10 .”
When the older Hopkins played guitar , he improvised with endless , creative riffs split between methodical , planned melodies . This , Robert said , was reflective of how Mark lived his life .
Robert then presented the song he was to play , one that Mark had chosen to dance with his mother on his wedding day years ago : “ Somewhere Over the Rainbow .”
An intense moment , Robert played as if the room consisted of himself , the piano and his brother ’ s coffin . His
investment in the performance was evident in his facial expressions and style .
“ I thought maybe he would become Chaplain Mark Hopkins ,” said Torres . “ He had shared a religious sentiment he wrote with his fellow Marines , and they had given him a standing ovation .”
Pastor Joshua Stewart then sang another religious song , “ Homesick ,” which represented the concept that all people are homesick until they pass , because heaven is their true home .
“ There is ,” said Torres quoting Eccliastes 3:2 , “ a time to live , and a time to die .”
At the conclusion of the ceremony , servicemen carried the coffin out of the church with his emotional family following behind . The rest of the congregation stood in reflection for a few moments , before being dismissed to the church cafe for refreshments .
Robert , however , stayed behind and made himself available to anyone who wanted to express condolences and speak .
“ Me and Mark did everything at the
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