Warwick honors military servicemen at Memorial Day ceremonies

WARWICK — Heavy rain had been predicted for Warwick that day but fortunately, never materialized and under mostly sunny skies, hundreds of members of veterans’ groups, their guests and other organizations participated in the May 28 annual Memorial Day parade. Numerous groups and honored guests joined the veterans in ceremonies held at Warwick Cemetery, St. Stephen’s Cemetery and Veterans Memorial Park. The day’s events began with the traditional parade down Main Street and on to Warwick Cemetery. Grand Marshall and past American Legion Post 214 Commander Bob Ritzer led the line of march. Members of Warwick’s well-known Stewart family of military servicemen marched with the color guard, followed by local officials and veterans organizations. At Warwick Cemetery, Ritzer, Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Mayor Michael Newhard, American Legion Post 214 Commander Walter Parkinson, VFW Post 4662 Commander Mike Iello and guest speakers U.S. Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, and Town of Warwick Justice Peter Barlet, among others, paid tribute to the fallen heroes of all the wars America has fought. The ceremonies began with an invocation by Rev. Duncan Truman, past pastor of the New Milford Methodist Church. Then Ritzer, the grand marshall, read the names of comrades who had passed away during the previous year. Following a long tradition, Eagle Scout Benjamin Hutchison read Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In a unique but welcome departure from previous ceremonies, Parkinson, the American Legion Post 214 commander, stepped down from his podium and invited all the youngsters present to come forward to hear his remarks. He explained the history of Memorial Day from its early beginnings when it was first called Decoration Day, and the importance of placing flags on the graves of our veterans. “You may have noticed,” he told the children. “We are old. Someday, you will have to carry on for us.” Hall, who visited Warwick briefly during his busy Memorial Day schedule, stated: “These ceremonies remind us not to take our rights for granted.” Justice Barlet, a familiar figure at veterans’ events, stated: “Generations of Americans have struggled to shape our democratic process, protect our liberties and secure our freedom. This day has been set aside to honor the memory of all those who have given their lives to advance these goals.” Barlet concluded his address with a moving reading of the last two stanzas of “America the Beautiful” by Katharine Lee Bates. 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 Dept. conducted a memorial service and invocation by the Warwick Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Chris Yount, pastor of United Methodist Church.