Owego and Tioga County will honor all who served for their valor, courage and sacrifice at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial and Tioga County Civil War Union Memorial on the south lawn of the Tioga County Courthouse in Owego.
Encouraged to attend are all veterans and their families, Gold Star Mothers and their families and the public.
Taking part in the service are Color Guards and members of Tioga Post 401 American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Modern Warfare of Iraq and Afghanistan, Tioga County Marine Corps League and Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars with their Ladies and Men’s Auxiliaries.
Veterans Day honors those veterans who helped shape American history and remembers 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 many from the Civil War including 500 who died.
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.
Veterans wear with pride your military medals, decorations and awards from your service from wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Desert Storm, Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea and WWII.
Special recognition will be paid 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.
Not forgotten from all wars are our POWs and MIAs. They and their families have suffered greatly through their experiences.
Tioga County especially honors 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 KIA, one was MIA and two were POWs; also a WWII Navy sailor whose submarine was lost, presumably mined in the Yellow Sea.
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.
Roll Call of Honor will remember veterans from Tioga County who died since Memorial Day 2017. A moment of silence will honor veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending freedom.
Veteran organizations encourage all service families and the public to attend the service honoring all who served. Those in attendance are reminded to dress warm and bring a folding chair.
Veterans in Health Care Centers Not Forgotten
Veterans of Modern Warfare of Iraq and Afghanistan and Ladies Auxiliary of the Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 will visit Riverview Manor Health Care Center. Sayre Elks and the Mayors of Waverly, South Waverly, Sayre and Athens will conduct a Veterans Program at Elderwood at Waverly and Sayre Health Care Center to show veterans they are not forgotten.
Teach Students Importance of Veterans Day in Schools
Teach students importance of Veterans Day in schools. Prepare students to understand the contributions of and the value of all veterans on Veterans Day.
A student cannot learn what the student is not taught. Do not confuse Nov. 11 with Memorial Day, which is to recognize the deceased. Veterans Day recognizes all veterans.
Perhaps the easiest thing for a school or class to do is to invite one or more veterans to speak with students. Perhaps a staff member or a student’s parent is a veteran.
And on Nov. 11, students should be encouraged, or because of its importance should attend a Veterans Day service.
Observe Veterans Day in church services on Sunday, Nov. 5 or 12. On “Veterans Sunday”, honor veterans and their families for their faithful service to our country.
Here are some tips for commemorating Veterans Day.
Remember the president has proclaimed November as Military Family Month. The nation honors the commitment and sacrifices made by the families of the nation’s service members.
Attend a community event like the 11-11-11 service held at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial. Visit a hospitalized or homebound or nursing home veteran.
Display your United States Flag. Talk to your kids. Teach your children about the importance of honoring our veterans. Make a private visit to the Tioga County Veterans Memorial. Ask for a veteran to tell you more about a fallen hero. Spread the Word about Veterans Day by Facebook and Twitter.
Just Listen. Ask the veteran to break out the old photo albums and share stories of their service. Read the Constitution – the heart of the United States. Thank a veteran in person. Say, “Thank You for your service and sacrifices.”
Northern Tioga Veterans Invited to Free Dinner
For the 12th 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, Saturday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m. at the remodeled Newark Valley Fire Station. Contact Marcia Kiechle at 642-8967 for more information.
Support New Bridge Flags
New American flags for the 2018 season on Owego’s Court Street Bridge need to be purchased with donations from interested citizens. Those flags flying over the Susquehanna River honor Tioga County’s fallen heroes for their service and sacrifice.
Explaining Wreaths Across America
Three videos 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. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/about/answering-why/.
Tioga County observes National Wreaths Across America Day at noon on Saturday, Dec. 16. 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 local community cemeteries.
Objective here in Tioga and Bradford and Susquehanna Counties and the Valley communities of South Waverly, Sayre and Athens is twofold: a wreath at the entrance to each cemetery and one on each veteran grave. How? By voluntary involvement of individuals, church groups, businesses and industry buying or making a wreath. It is a beautiful way to honor and remember those who have fought and died for our country.
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.
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