Warwick honors those who sacrificed their lives

There were clear skies and mild temperatures as hundreds of members of veterans' groups, their guests and other organizations participated in the 2019 annual Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 27.
After the traditional parade down Main Street, numerous groups and honored 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. Army veteran Laura Smykla. And New York Task Force Commander Col. Peter Riley marched with the color guard followed by local officials, veterans and other organizations.
At Warwick Cemetery, American Legion Post 214 Commander Jerry Schacher conducted ceremonies, which began with an invocation by the Rev. James Erwin of Christ Episcopal Church.
Then, in a quiet and touching moment, and assisted by Navy veteran Ed Hodas, Schacher read the names of all the comrades who had past away since last year's ceremonies.
Eagle Scout Josh Koff then read President Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Girl Scout Elizabeth Verboys related the history of playing "Taps."
Post 214 past Commander Walt 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.
Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton spoke about the sacrifices of those we honor on this day and Mayor Michael Newhard described many of the preparations for this day by a grateful community.
Warwick Town Justice Peter Barlet, a familiar figure at veterans' events, told a touching story about the recent discovery of a World War II B-24, nicknamed, "Heaven Can Wait," in the Pacific Ocean.
Diane Christie, was the niece of the 10 man crew's bombardier, 2nd Lt. Thomas Kelly, 21, who perished with everyone on board when the aircraft was shot down during a mission over New Guinea
Although she had never met him, Christie sobbed when she heard the news.
Her family had been instrumental in providing information that helped searches discover the plane in 2017.
"And while the loss of any member of the armed forcers will always remain a personal tragedy for the family enduring it," said Barlet, "it is also a loss shared by every citizen of this Republic who come together on this day to publicly acknowledge our combined indebtedness to all those and their families who haven given our country so much."
The VFW services, conducted by Commander John MacDonald, 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.
During that ceremony, Air Force veteran Barry O'Neil, who also serves as a chaplain during Fire Department ceremonies, gave the invocation.
He spoke about the five volunteer firefighters from Warwick who had lost their lives during military service while fighting for the country, and urged that the memories of those who sacrificed for us never be forgotten.