Wallkill Valley Times, Wednesday, November 14, 2018
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Crawford celebrates the Armistice
By LAURA FITZGERALD
[email protected]
On the 100th anniversary of World War
I, veterans, police officers, public officials
and community members gathered last
Sunday under sunny skies to recognize
and honor Crawford’s veterans on
Veterans Day.
Originally called Armistice Day in
remembrance of the end of World War
I, President Dwight Eisenhower changed
the day in 1954 to be Veterans Day, in
honor of all veterans who are currently
serving or have served in all wars.
Crawford Police Chief Dominick Blasko
personally thanked veterans for their
service.
“Today we celebrate and honor
American veterans for the patriotism,
love of country and willing to sacrifice for
the common good,” Blasko said.
Army Sergeant First Class Nicholas St.
Louis, Jr., spoke at the ceremony. He said
many military members and veterans
were ordinary people who answered the
extraordinary call to fight in far-away
nations.
St. Louis added many of these soldiers
paid the ultimate sacrifice, giving their
lives to protect our country and our
freedoms. Veterans Day is a recognition
of that sacrifice.
“We’ve awarded medals to many
soldiers, added their names to monuments
and buildings, congratulating them and
honoring them for their bravery, but
nothing can ever replace the hole left
behind by a fallen service member,” St.
Louis said.
American Legion Chaplain Joe
Cartisano gave the opening and closing
benediction, asking God to watch over
America’s soldiers and grant them peace
and love.
“May their dedication and honor be
remembered as a blessing from generation
to generation,” Cartisano said.
The Valley Central Junior Reserve
Officer Training Corps (JROTC) carried
the colors in and out of the ceremony.
The ceremony also included a rousing
military medley from the Walker Valley
marching band and a rendition of “God
Bless America” from the Pine Bush select
choir.
The ceremony was organized by the
Catholic War Veterans, the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
For veterans and their families,
Veterans Day means so much more than
a day off from work or school.
The Walker Valley Marching Band plays a rousing military medley at the Crawford Veterans Day Ceremony.
For veteran Harold Smith, the holiday
is a day of remembrance.
“It’s a very emotional day because a lot
of veterans aren’t here,” Smith said.
Despite the solemnity of the day, Smith
said it was wonderful to be recognized
with Crawford’s ceremony.
The ceremony was followed by a short
Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in
Action (MIA) ceremony at the town hall
before a reception with doughnuts and
refreshments.
Conrad Flickenschild, American
Legion State Vice Commander of District
one and nine, presented a place setting
for POW and MIA soldiers, a common
display at Memorial and Veterans Day
ceremonies.
The small table holds a rose, reminding
us of the families and friends of POWs and
MIAs who keep the faith while awaiting
their return. The red ribbon around the
vase represents the ribbons worn on the
lapels of those who demand a proper
accounting of POWs and MIAs.
The slice of lemon represents POWs’
and MIAs’ bitter fate. The salt sprinkled
on the plate represents the tears shed
by families as they wait. The glass is
inverted because POWs and MIAs can’t
toast tonight. The chair is empty because
the service members are not present.
The candle represents the light of hope,
which lives in our hearts to illuminate the
way home to the open arms of a grateful
nation.
Conrad Flickenschild holds a Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) ceremony to
honor military members and veterans.