Ralph Tapia of V.F.W. Post 1371 Honor Guard salutes during the Veterans Day service held in Owego on Nov. 11.
A crisp fall day filled with sunshine brought together veterans and the community for the annual Veterans Day service at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Nov. 11.
Jim Raftis, Sr., Master of Ceremonies, Korean War veteran and Memorial Day Chairman, welcomed guests to the thirtieth anniversary of the memorial park, and said, “Today honors all who served in time of war and in time of peace.”
Raftis acknowledged Vietnam Veteran Bill Chandler, who was instrumental in spearheading upgrades for the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park, along with others who made the project successful.
The Veterans of Modern Warfare of Iraq and Afghanistan gather at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y. on Nov. 11.
Raftis reiterated that Veterans Day, previously known as Armistice Day and the end of World War I in 1918, is a day for all Americans to reflect on the service and sacrifice our veterans have made.
Andrea McBride performed a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem.
The ceremony included an invocation and benediction by V.F.W. Honor Guard member and St. Patrick’s / Blessed Trinity Deacon, Mike Donovan.
Donovan, a Vietnam veteran, shared that Nov. 10 was the 242nd anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps., and commented, “Veterans Day honors all who served in the Armed Forces.”
From left, Jim Raftis, Sr., Master of Ceremonies, Korean War veteran and Memorial Day Chairman, requested that veterans aged 90 or older come to the podium during the Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11. Pictured is Korean War veteran, Emil Jerkes of Nichols, N.Y. shaking hands with WWII, Korean and Vietnam War veteran Bill Wall, of Sheshequin, Pa.
Donovan explained that his father, a World War II veteran, used the word “comrade” to describe his fellow veterans, and added, “Today we are family, and we call each other brothers. We pray for and help those who struggle with old age, or with demons. Thank you to the community that supports veterans.”
Tioga County Legislative Chair, Marte Sauerbrey, reflected on the 30th anniversary of the memorial park. She shared, “The memorial was a bicentennial gift to Owego by Tioga County, and was dedicated on Veterans Day 30 years ago, where more than 200 people braved the cold and snow that day.”
Sauerbrey then offered the microphone to John Holton, Tioga County Veterans Service director and Mike Middaugh, Veteran Services officer, both U.S. Navy Veterans.
Tioga County Legislative Chair, Marte Sauerbrey, addresses guests at the Veterans Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
Middaugh commented, “Do not hesitate to contact us to see how we can help. We are ready to serve our veterans and their families for whatever needs they have.”
A roll call of deceased veterans since Memorial Day was announced. Volunteers from the 137th New York Infantry and the 141st Pennsylvania Infantry rendered a rifle salute.
Raftis then asked veterans aged 90 or older to approach the podium. At the ceremony were 92-year-old Korean War veteran, Emil Jerkes, of Tioga Center, and Bill Wall, a 94-year-old veteran of Sheshequin, Pa. who served during WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
Tioga County Veterans Services Agency Director, John Holton, and Veterans Service Agency Officer, Mike Middaugh, in background, delivered speeches during the Veterans Day ceremony in Owego on Nov. 11.
The Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard conducted the Posting of Colors. Also in attendance were individuals from the 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, along with the Ladies and Men’s and Sons Auxiliaries.
Raftis also made an honorable mention of Deputy Newark Valley Historian Jerry Marsh, who passed away on Nov. 10. Marsh, a Vietnam War veteran and Vietnamese Linguist, who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Agent and Counterintelligence Officer. Marsh was the author of the book, “The Brotherhood of Battle,” which profiled Civil War
From left, Ben Gardiner, of the 137th Volunteer Infantry and Jim Raftis Sr., Master of Ceremonies, Korean War veteran and Memorial Day Chairman, pose following the annual Veterans Day service in Owego on Nov. 11.
soldiers of Newark Valley, and was in the final process of publishing a subsequent book. Marsh was scheduled to speak at the Veterans Day ceremony.
Raftis said of Marsh, “He was an outstanding patriot. We will miss him.”
Jim Raftis can be contacted by email at jraftis2@stny.rr.com, or by calling (607) 687-4229. The Tioga County Veterans Service Agency can be reached at (607) 687-8228.
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