Veterans Day in Tioga County

Veterans Day in Tioga CountyOwego and Tioga County will Honor All Who Served and Medal of Honor Recipients for their valor, courage and sacrifice at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial on the south lawn of the Tioga County Courthouse.

The signing of the World War I Armistice took place in a railway coach near the battle zone in France. The bugles sounded cease fire and the hostilities ended, marking a most significant moment in world history – Armistice Day 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Officers of the VFW, American Legion, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans say Veterans Day is intended to thank living veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.

Veterans are urged to wear their valor and service medals with pride from their service in the Global War on Terrorism since 2001 including the Gulf War, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, Vietnam War, Korean War, WWII and WWI. Civil War veterans will be honored with a wreath.

Remembered are the 173 brave service members from Tioga County who paid the price to defend our nation including one Afghanistan, three Iraq, 17 Vietnam, eight Korea, 119 WWII, 25 WWI and the Civil War.

Not forgotten from all wars are our Prisoners of War (POW), and those Missing in Action (MIA). They and their families have suffered greatly through their experiences. Tioga County especially honors a WWII Navy sailor whose submarine was lost, presumably mined in the Yellow Sea, and four fallen heroes of the early Korean War – three whose remains were not recovered and one who is buried near the POW Camp where he died in South Korea. Of the four, one was Killed in Action (KIA), one was MIA, and two were POWs.

Special recognition to Owego and Tioga County’s Purple Heart Recipients and the oldest living veterans over 90 years of age as reported to the Master of Ceremonies at the park.

First step to designate Tioga County as a Purple Heart County is to honor those who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat, and for veterans who have made the supreme sacrifice.

Many Purple Heart Recipients are reluctant to share the combat story of their Purple Heart. Know that they are eligible for the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor. It will take a special effort by families to identify and escort these veterans to the Veterans Day Ceremony.

Roll Call will remember veterans from Tioga County who died since Memorial Day 2014. A moment of silence will honor veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending freedom.

Those in attendance are reminded to dress warm and bring a folding chair.

Northern Tioga Veterans Invited to Free Dinner  

For the ninth year, the Newark Valley Historical Society will honor veterans of all Armed Forces and spouses of deceased veterans from Berkshire, Newark Valley, and Richford at a free dinner on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m. at the Newark Valley Fire Station. Contact Marcia Kiechle by calling (607) 642-8967 for more information.

Support New Bridge Flags 

Donations are needed for new American flags to fly on the Court Street Bridge over the Susquehanna River honoring Tioga County’s fallen heroes for their service and sacrifice.

Afghanistan/Iraq Veterans

Here’s how veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq can help veterans organizations. Join the VFW Post 1371 Honor Guard for military funerals. Place Christmas wreaths on veteran graves on or before Wreaths Across America Day held on Saturday, Dec. 13. Organize a Thank You Veterans Program at Riverview Manor Nursing Home.

Remembering Veterans with Wreaths  

Each wreath placed at a veteran headstone is a gift, from one appreciative American family to another who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy each and every day.

This year’s challenge is an evergreen symbol to honor ALL veterans at cemeteries in Tioga and Bradford Counties and the Valley.

National Wreaths Across America Day is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Arlington Nation Cemetery – marking its 150th anniversary – and national and community cemeteries across the United States and overseas.

The mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach about the service of deceased veterans. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/about/answering-why/ for more information.

Who to Contact

For more information on any of these items, contact Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Day Chairman Jim Raftis by email to jraftis2@stny.rr.com or by calling (607) 687-4229.