OSWEGO, NY – On Monday, members of the area veterans’ and service groups spent the early morning visiting various parks and cemeteries in Oswego and surrounding communities paying tribute to our nation’s veterans.
Once again, the Port City paused to honor and thank the men and women who fought and died for our freedoms.
A handful of onlookers, some with flags and cameras, lined the parade route from West Park to Veterans’ Memorial Park shortly before 11 a.m.; several applauded and waved as the group, led by a color guard of Girl Scouts, marched by.
A larger crowd, many decked out in red, white and blue filled Veterans’ Memorial Park under the clear skies and warm temperatures, greeted the group as it marched into the park.
The Snowbelters performed patriotic songs for the ceremony.
Memorial Day is sacred to all veterans and families of veterans, according to George Hoffman Jr., of the Oswego City Veterans’ Council and the master of ceremonies for the 19th year.
“I will not wish you a ‘happy’ Memorial Day. However, it is a very special day,” the Navy veteran said. “The reason for this holiday is anything but happy. It’s a time of remembrance of those who gave so much. It’s time to say thanks.”
Memorial Day is a day for reflection on the service of the men and women who serve and have served this nation and their sacrifice, he said.
Oswego’s ceremony was “one small spark in the flame of pride that burns across the nation today, he said.
He was joined on stage by Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow, Assemblyman Will Barclay and Alan Wood, commander of the Fifth District of the NYS VFW.
Hoffman said he’d like to see more of the younger veterans and youth in general involved in Memorial Day.
“I’d like to see more of the youth involved. It’s nice to see the Girl Scouts here. That’s a start,” he said recognizing the small contingent of Girl Scouts who participated in the parade.
“Today is the unofficial first day of the summer season. However, let’s not forget who gave us these times of pleasure and enjoyment,” he said. “They continue to safeguard our American way of life. This day is in memory of the more than one million of our fellow citizens who have fallen battle since the founding of our republic.”
“We owe it to our fallen heroes to pause from our routine so that we may respectfully honor their lives and sacrifices for liberty and freedom. One day, just one day to remember the sacrifice of those who have gone before us. And also, to remind those who have been touched by the pain of war that the lives they mourn were not offered in vain,” Hoffman said.
“It’s a real honor for me to be here again this year,” Barclay said. “Memorial Day is one of the most significant and patriotic days celebrated in our nation. It is a solemn day to remember the sacrifice our service men and women made for our nation.”
“Let’s us not forget our service men and women have always fought with skill and bravery. And those who have fallen, did so knowing that they were upholding our constitution and the principles on which this great nation was founded,” he added.
“I just want to say what an honor it is to represent a community where we have so many local organizations who are so dedicated and so committed to remembering and honoring and helping our local veterans – not just on Memorial Day but all year round,” Barlow said. “We may not know them all, but we certainly owe them all”
That is one of the reasons Oswego is so special and so unique, he added.
“I am deeply honored to be standing here with you today honoring the sacrifices of these military men and women who laid down their lives in service to this nation,” Wood said. “When our nation called, they answered. Some volunteered and some were ‘voun-told.'”
They all served faithfully, he added.
There is still more than 82,000 military personnel Missing In Action, he pointed out.
“We will never forget them,” he said. “And, we will never stop looking for them.”
Quoting President John F. Kennedy, a US Navy Veteran of World War II and a Purple Heart recipient, Wood said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
Earlier in the day Monday, veterans representing several organizations as well as the Oswego Elks were out visiting cemeteries and parks around the area in honor of their fallen comrades.
A wreath was placed at the memorial for Gold Star Mothers.
Traditionally, the late Fred Crisafulli, the 2006 Veteran of the Year, placed the wreath, as his mother was Oswego’s first Gold Star Mother in World War II.
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