‘Their Dying Shows Us That Freedom Is Not Free’ Fulton Honors Memorial Day

by Mikayla Kemp | May 30, 2017 6:04 am

FULTON, NY – For many veterans, to stand in the rain may be but a small inconvenience when compared to the tribulations of battle.

To stand through the rain while honoring their fallen comrades, however, is no inconvenience at all but instead, an honor.

Several veterans of various distinctions representing local veterans services organizations came together this Memorial Day (May 29) to pay tribute to the fallen through a ceremony organized by the Fulton Veterans’ Council.

They paired with elected officials, local law enforcement, and a large number of members of the Fulton community to recognize the many local heroes who lost their life in the name of freedom.

“This was outstanding,” said Garry Visconti, President of the Fulton Veterans’ Council. “I’m really impressed with the turnout considering the weather today. It’s nice to know the rain won’t stop us from honoring our fallen and our veterans.”

Beginning at St. Mary’s Cemetery and continuing on to Mount Adnah’s Cemetery, the Fulton War Memorial, and City Hall across from Veterans’ Park, a remembrance wreath was placed at each location to commemorate the servicemen and women who never made it home.

A flag and red flower were first placed on each wreath, followed by a white flower symbolizing purity and the unselfish courage of all fallen comrades, and then a blue flower as the emblem of eternity, immortalizing the brave deeds of each solider.

14-year-old Anthony Lucas stood alongside the Fulton VFW Firing Squad to play Taps after the 21-gun salute at each of the four locations, the first time in several years there has been a live rendition of the ceremonial bugle.

The group moved inside at City Hall after weathering the rain during the wreath placing ceremonies. Father Moritz Fuchs opened the ceremony with a prayer of which he took the chance to recognize the day’s purpose.

“We honor them because they laid down the lives as they stood for and fought for the freedom we enjoy as citizens of the greatest nation on Earth. Their dying shows us, that freedom is not free. The ones we honor today have found that it cost them their very lives,” he said.

Father Fuchs is a retired Catholic priest and an Army veteran of World War II having served as the sole bodyguard for Robert H. Jackson, chief prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials and U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justice.

During the ceremony, he received a gracious thank you from the Fulton Veterans’ Council.

“We are forever grateful for the knowledge and inspiration you continue to share with us and our community is honored by your military service to the United States of America,” said Donna Kestner, Director of the Oswego County Veterans Service Agency.

Fulton Mayor Ronald Woodward Sr., with the help of several youth in attendance, placed the final wreath to be featured in Veterans’ Park.

“On this special day, I wish to thank our distinguished veterans, their families, and the members of our community who have joined us to pay their respect and say thank you to all those who served our country in order to preserve the rights and privileges we hold so dear. That is what this day is about,” Woodward said.

“On behalf of the members of the Fulton Common Council and the grateful residents of Fulton, I wish all those who served and sacrificed for our freedom, peace, happiness, and love of family on this day of remembrance. God Bless all of you and God Bless America,” he finished.

Mayor Woodward took a moment to recognize the city’s sixth ward councilor, Lawrence Macner who was selected as the 2017 Veteran of the Year and led the annual Memorial Day parade [17]as Grand Marshall.

“He proudly served his country and now he is home serving his community,” he said.

Macner shared some details of his 28-year military career with the United State Air Force and the NY Air National Guard.

He went on to share some of the history regarding Memorial Day, asking for remembrance of those who have already served and support for those who are currently serving.

“I’m hoping that each and every one of you will remember our men and women in uniform in your thoughts and prayers, especially those stationed in harms way. Also, please don’t forget our men and women with the police and fire departments. They’re in harms way also, in a different form, but they’re in harms way every single day,” he said.

Uniquely this year, three sixth grade students were able to share their winning essay submissions on a local character education lesson centered around Fulton’s own hometown war hero, Private Carlton W. Barrett[18].

Sixth grade teacher at Volney Elementary, Bill Cahill said he was encouraged to use Private Barrett as the focus of an educational program for sixth grade students across the district when he learned of Barrett’s military honors and discovered that other Fulton natives were not familiar with his accomplishments.

“In a few short years, every kid that crosses the stage at Fulton High School will know a little bit about Carlton W. Barrett and will not only have some pride in Fulton’s past but be inspired to take his principles and make a brighter future for our city,” Cahill said.

Barrett remains the only Fulton native to receive a Medal of Honor, the most prestigious personal military decoration for his display of selfless courage while serving with the 18th Regimental Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

Evan Zimmerman of Volney Elementary, Ashley Heller of Volney Elementary, and Megan Acker of Lanigan Elementary all read their essays aloud, sharing with some of the guests what may have been the first time they’ve heard of Fulton’s own war hero.

Visconti is hopeful that continued participation by Fulton’s youth in ceremonies such as this will instill the importance of recognizing our nation’s front line throughout all walks of history.

“Thank you for teaching our children the history of this great country, because that’s really important here,” he said.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/fulton/their-dying-shows-us-that-freedom-is-not-free-fulton-honors-memorial-day/

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