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The tradition continues

| 31 May 2018 | 06:23
    Photos by Roger Gavan New York Task Force Commander Col. Peter Riley (far right) along with members of Warwick’s well-known Stewart family of military servicemen marched with the color guard followed by local officials, veterans and other organizations.
    Photos by Roger Gavan New York Task Force Commander Col. Peter Riley (far right) along with members of Warwick’s well-known Stewart family of military servicemen marched with the color guard followed by local officials, veterans and other organizations.
    In a touching moment, and assisted by Navy veteran Ed Hodas, Second Vice Commander Jerry Schacher read the names of all the comrades who had past away since last year’s ceremonies.
    In a touching moment, and assisted by Navy veteran Ed Hodas, Second Vice Commander Jerry Schacher read the names of all the comrades who had past away since last year’s ceremonies.
    American Legion Post 214 past Commander Walt Parkinson conducted ceremonies and continued a tradition he began years ago by addressing the scouts gathered in the cemetery to teach them the importance of service, not only in the military but in many other ways that contribute to their community and their country.
    American Legion Post 214 past Commander Walt Parkinson conducted ceremonies and continued a tradition he began years ago by addressing the scouts gathered in the cemetery to teach them the importance of service, not only in the military but in many other ways that contribute to their community and their country.
    Services at St. Stephen’s Cemetery were conducted by the Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr.
    Services at St. Stephen’s Cemetery were conducted by the Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr.
    The Grand Marshal for this year was US Navy veteran Thomas Brennan
    The Grand Marshal for this year was US Navy veteran Thomas Brennan
    During that ceremony at the Firemen’s Monument, members of the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department conducted a memorial service and laying of wreaths.Air Force veteran Barry O’Neil, who also serves as a chaplain during Fire Department ceremonies, gave the invocation and then read the names of five volunteer firefighters from Warwick who had lost their lives during military service while fighting for the country. .
    During that ceremony at the Firemen’s Monument, members of the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department conducted a memorial service and laying of wreaths.Air Force veteran Barry O’Neil, who also serves as a chaplain during Fire Department ceremonies, gave the invocation and then read the names of five volunteer firefighters from Warwick who had lost their lives during military service while fighting for the country. .

By Roger Gavan
WARWICK — Cloudy skies and mild temperatures were much appreciated as hundreds of members of veterans' groups, their guests and other organizations participated in the 2018 annual Memorial Day ceremonies.
After the traditional parade down Main Street, numerous groups and guests joined the veterans in ceremonies held at Warwick Cemetery, St. Stephen's Cemetery and Veterans Memorial Park.
The Grand Marshal for this year was U.S. Navy veteran Thomas Brennan. And New York Task Force Commander Col. Peter Riley, along with members of Warwick's well-known Stewart family of military servicemen, marched with the color guard followed by local officials, veterans and other organizations.
At Warwick Cemetery, American Legion Post 214 past Commander Walt Parkinson conducted ceremonies, which began with an invocation by Mother Deborah Lee of Christ Episcopal Church.
'That these dead shall not have died in vain'Then, in a quiet moment, and assisted by Navy veteran Ed Hodas, Second Vice Commander Jerry Schacher read the names of all the comrades who had past away since last year's ceremonies.
Troop 45 Eagle Scout Josh Koff read President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which ends: " ... that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Then Girl Scout Olivia O'Connor related the history of playing the bugle call, "Taps."
Parkinson continued a tradition he began years ago by addressing the scouts gathered in the cemetery to teach them the importance of service, not only in the military but in many other ways that contribute to their community and their country.
Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton spoke about the sacrifices of those we honor on this day.
"We ask that God bless their souls and their families and continue to bless this great country," he said.
Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard read a story, "Our Son," about a grieving father at the gravesite of his son, who was killed in Iraq.
'Our fundamental values'Warwick Town Justice Peter Barlet reminded everyone that it was the 100th anniversary of America's late participation in World War I and that Europeans, who had been fighting for the past four years, questioned if our assistance would matter.
That question, he stated, was answered on May 28, 1918, when the Americans defeated the Germans in the Battle of Cantigny.
Barlet then went on to explain how the First World War would eventually lead to skills in modern warfare and the leadership of men like five-star Gen. George C. Marshall that would enable our victory in World War II followed by the "Marshall" plan for economic recovery and the creation of the State of Israel, which we supported.
"Our fundamental values as a democratic nation," he said, "required such support."
An exchange of poppiesIn a special presentation, also in honor of the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War, Newhard reported that the community had shipped a large number of hand-knit poppies, blessed by the Rev. Richard Marrano, to Warwickshire, England, to honor the 11,610 members of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment killed in that conflict.
And Warwick, UK, Mayor Stephen Cross, and his wife, Christine, in return, had shipped some of their blessed poppies to be presented to our veterans organizations along with special letters addressed to them in honor of the 346 soldiers from this community who served and the seven who did not return.
Newhard explained the history and significance of the poppy and read the words that the poet John McCrea wrote about the First World War:
"In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place, and in the sky, the larks, still bravely singing, fly, scarce heard amid the guns below."
He then presented the poppies to American Legion Post 214 Commander Laura Smykla and VFW Post 4662 Commander Dan Burger as Sweeton read the letters from England.
The VFW services, conducted by Burger, followed with the laying of wreaths at the VFW monument.
The ceremonies at Warwick Cemetery concluded with a riffle salute and the playing of Taps.
They were followed by services at St. Stephen's Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Jack Arlotta, pastor of the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr.
The parade then continued down Forester Avenue to the Firemen's Monument at Veterans Memorial Park where members of the Warwick Volunteer Fire Department conducted a memorial service and laying of wreaths.
During that ceremony, Air Force veteran Barry O'Neil, who also serves as a chaplain during Fire Department ceremonies, gave the invocation and then read the names of five volunteer firefighters from Warwick who had lost their lives during military service while fighting for the country.