Veterans Day recognized on Friday; surprise update on National Anthem performance

Update: It was recently confirmed that a violinist from Italy, Andrea Di Cesare, will be performing the National Anthem at the Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday. Andrea Di Cesare is one of Italy’s top violinists.  He has toured extensively across Europe and South America, where his shows regularly sell out. He is currently in the Southern Tier for a mini-tour, which included a concert at Binghamton University (sponsored by the Department of Romance Languages) and will include a show on Friday at Originals, where he will play a solo set and will then be joined by rock/blues band Voodoo Highway. When not on tour, Andrea resides in Milan, Italy.

In Owego, at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial, Veterans Day 2016 services start at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, Honoring All Who Served in Time of War and In Time of Peace.  

Families and the community are encouraged to accompany veterans, especially Purple Heart Recipients, to personally express their gratitude for their service and sacrifices to keep our country free. 

At exactly 11 a.m., church bells will toll from the Historic First Baptist Church, the United Methodist Church, the First Presbyterian Union Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, followed by their chimes. Fire sirens may sound a 30 second veterans salute also at 11 a.m. 

All churches with church bells in Tioga and Bradford Counties and Valley churches in South Waverly, Sayre, and Athens are asked to ring their bell 11 times at 11 a.m. Veterans request all citizens to observe moment of silence at 11 a.m. 

At the ceremony in Owego, there will be an Invocation, the singing of the National Anthem, and posting of colors by the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard.  

Veterans are proud members of the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tioga Post 401 American Legion, Tioga County Marine Corps League, Chapter 480 Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Modern Warfare of Iraq and Afghanistan with support by their Ladies and Men’s and Son’s Auxiliaries. 

Not forgotten from all wars are our POWs and MIAs. They and their families have suffered greatly through their experiences. Tioga County will remember five – one WWII MIA and four early Korea – one KIA and buried in the combat zone, one MIA and two POWs, remains never recovered.   

Gold Star Mothers and Families and Purple Heart Recipients and veterans will place wreaths for fallen heroes of Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Vietnam, World Wars Two and One, and those buried in overseas national cemeteries. 

Adjutant / Recruiter 2nd Lt. Ben Gardiner of the 137th Volunteer Infantry and Bonnie Baker-Duff, president of Tent 2 of the Daughters of Union Veteran of the Civil War will say a few words and place a wreath at the 101-year-old Tioga County Union Memorial dedicated to Tioga County’s heroes who fought and her martyrs who fell that the Union Might Live. 

Volunteers from the 137th New York and 141st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry will render a rifle salute. 

Deputy Newark Valley Historian Jerry Marsh will report on his new research on Tioga County soldiers’ involvement in the Civil War. Jerry has published a book, titled “The Brotherhood of Battle,” profiling the Civil War soldiers of Newark Valley. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War as a Vietnamese Linguist. He served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Agent and Counterintelligence Officer. 

Roll Call of Honor will remember veterans from Tioga County who died since Memorial Day 2016. A moment of silence will honor deceased veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending freedom.

President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming Nov. 11 as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. 

To commemorate the ending of the “Great War” (World War I), an “unknown soldier” was buried in the highest place of honor in both England and France. Those ceremonies took place on Nov. 11, celebrating the ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m., Nov. 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.) 

The day became known internationally as “Armistice Day.” In 1921, America laid to rest the remains of a World War I soldier at what is now known as the “Tomb of the Unknowns” at Arlington National Cemetery. 

The “Tomb if the Unknowns,” the Tioga County Union Memorial and Tioga County Veterans Memorial in Owego’s Courthouse Square symbolize dignity and reverence for the American veteran. 

Guests are reminded to bring a folding chair and dress for the weather.  

Veterans in Home Care Centers to be Remembered 

In the afternoon, veterans in nursing homes will be remembered for their service and sacrifice. Veterans of Modern Warfare from Iraq and Afghanistan and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars will go from the park ceremony to Riverview Home Care Center. Veterans in Elderwood at Waverly and Sayre House will be special guests at a ceremony conducted by the Sayre Elks and Valley Mayors from Waverly, South Waverly, Sayre and Athens.  

Free Dinner for Northern Tioga Veterans and Purple Heart Recipients 

For the 11th year in a row, the Newark Valley Historical Society will honor veterans and Purple Heart Recipients of all Armed Forces and spouses of deceased veterans from the Northern Tioga County communities of Berkshire, Newark Valley, and Richford at a free dinner on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m. at the Parish Hall of St. John’s Catholic Church on Rock Street, not the Newark Valley Fire Station. Contact Marcia Kiechle at 642-8967 for more information. 

Wreaths for Veteran Graves a Worthy Project for Individuals 

National Wreaths Across America Day is at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. The mission is to Remember, Honor and Teach about the service of deceased veterans.  

Thousands of wreaths will be placed at Arlington National Cemetery and at the same time at national cemeteries in the United States including Elmira and Bath and overseas and in all participating community cemeteries. 

The local objective is a Christmas wreath on each veteran grave and at the main entrance to all cemeteries around Tioga and Bradford Counties and the Valley. Every citizen in reading this is encouraged to lay a wreath. It is a beautiful way we can all honor those who have fought and died for our country and are locally buried.  

Three videos located at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/about/answering-why/ will explain Wreaths Across America and why it matters from the perspective of the founder who started donating wreaths over 20 years ago, an American Gold Star Mother who lost her son, and personal stories of those who serve and sacrifice. 

Bridge Flags Need Donors 

Become a sponsor or donor to buy American flags for use in 2016 on Owego’s Court Street Bridge. Those flags honor the service and sacrifice of Tioga County’s fallen heroes. 

National Moment of Silence 

A presidential proclamation called the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act calls for two minutes of silence on Nov. 11 to recognize and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all veterans, past and present. The set time of 2:11 p.m. EST allows for all 50 states and Puerto Rico to take part simultaneously. 

Who to Contact 

For more information, 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.