Warwick honors its veterans at Memorial Day ceremonies

WARWICK — Shade was at a premium on Monday, May 28, as the hot sun beat down on hundreds of members of veterans’ groups, their guests and other organizations participating in the annual Memorial Day ceremonies, which began with the traditional parade down Main Street.

Braving temperatures climbing above 90 degrees, numerous groups and honored guests then joined the veterans in ceremonies held at Warwick Cemetery, St. Stephen’s Cemetery and Veterans Memorial Park.

The Grand Marshall for this year was American Legion Post 214 Sergeant-At-Arms Robert A. Fletcher.

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, Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Mayor Michael Newhard, Town of Warwick Justice Nancy D’Angelo, American Legion Post 214 Commander Bruce Sutton, VFW Post 4662 Commander Buddy Cooke, and Town of Warwick Justice Peter Barlet among other dignitaries were on hand to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of all the wars America has fought.

50 comrades The ceremonies began with an invocation by Rev. John Senkewich, pastor of the New Milford Edenville Methodist Church. Then, in a quiet and touching moment, Ed Hodas, chairman of the Legion’s cemetery flag placing committee, sounded a bell for each name as American Legion Post 214 Chaplain Bob Ritzer read the names of 50 comrades who had recently past away.

Eagle Scout Jared Olson read President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Girl Scout Victoria Jarloch related the history of playing “Taps.”

Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Mayor Newhard paid tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and thanked all the veterans for service to their Country.

Commander Sutton conveyed a message from Gold Star Mother and Widow Carolyn Lesando, who had the longtime honor of laying the wreath at the Legion’s monument every year. She is now living with her daughter in the Albany area and she sent her best wishes while expressing regrets that she could not be at the ceremony.

Warwick Town Justice Peter Barlet, a familiar figure at veterans’ events, urged every citizen to show his or her appreciation for the sacrifices made by our veterans by participating in the democratic process.

“As we come together on this Memorial Day,” he said, “we do so to consider our own individual obligation to participate in the government which they gave their lives to preserve.”

The challenge for young people Past American Legion Post 214 Commander Walter Parkinson continued a tradition he began several years ago by walking over to the youngsters, scouts and scout leaders gathered in the cemetery to impress upon them the importance of performing civic duties such as voting.

“We can have parades and picnics today,” he said, “but to truly honor those who sacrificed to preserve our rights we must use those rights.”

VFW Post 4662 services, conducted by Commander Buddy Cooke, began with an invocation by VFW Chaplain Clayton Eurich followed by the laying of wreaths at the VFW monument.

The ceremonies at Warwick Cemetery were followed by services at St. Stephen’s Cemetery, conducted by Father Michael McLoughlin, 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 invocation by the Warwick Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Chris Yount.

By Roger Gavan