A tribute past due

For the past 11 years, the Owego Pennysaver, along with Jim Raftis, Sr., has encouraged local communities to become involved in the national Mission of Wreaths Across America to Remember the Fallen, Honor those who Serve, and Teach children the value of Freedom.

Tioga County’s fallen hero from Afghanistan is Sergeant Justin R. Rogers of Barton and Tioga Central High School. Recently, a wreath placed at his gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery paid a beautiful tribute that was past due. 

Army Sergeant Justin R. Rogers, age 25 of Barton, N.Y., died on June 28, 2013 in Bagram, Afghanistan, in a non-combat incident. 

Sergeant Justin R. Rogers was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky and was serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Justin was born on May 26, 1988 in Sayre, Pa., the son of Stanley and Teresa Vicki. “Jutt”, as his schoolmates will remember him, was a graduate of Tioga Central High School Class of 2007. 

Justin had planned on making the Army a career. A few weeks before his death, he had reenlisted to serve another three years as a horizontal construction engineer with the 101st Airborne Division based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. 

Recently, Jim Raftis, Sr. asked Colleen Powell-Harbin, who visited his grave in Arlington National Cemetery on Wreaths Across America Day, to write in her own words her personal reflections of her visit. She wrote the following.

It’s been very hard for me to put my experiences into words. Usually, I can express myself pretty freely, but there were so many emotions for me there, it has been difficult to pull from my heart and put into words.  

I first saw an ad on Facebook for this event several months ago. I had never participated in this event, even locally, but this year I felt this calling on my heart.  A friend’s son died in Iraq in 2013 and he is buried there. Although I had not been to see him before Dec. 16, I just felt an overwhelming need to give back to all the veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. 

I did not know what to expect, other than I knew it would be crowded. Honestly, I had no idea just how busy it would be. The crowds had a sense of peace and calm. No pushing and shoving, no complaining it was taking hours to get in (metro was just horrendous – it became impossible to use, we ended up walking the rest of the way to the Cemetery).  

I’m sure you saw the pictures on TV of all the people there; even the President flew over! I met so many amazing people, from all walks of life. 

When I finally reached the grounds, I stopped and looked around to see the thousands of people with the same purpose: To give something freely with asking nothing in return. A week before Christmas, nobody was caught up in the busy Christmas chaos. All of us chose to give that day to our veterans and recognize all they have sacrificed for us. It was a life changing experience for me; one that makes me want to get involved locally so I can share that same feeling. 

On a very personal note, my friend had made a wreath for her son and asked me if I could bring it to him. She has been there on many occasions but said she is not ready for the wreath ceremony.  

I do not have a child buried there, but with the raw emotion I felt, I understand why she was still not up to that event.  Section 60, where Justin is buried, is the newer war section. It was very busy with many people. Those who didn’t have any personal friend or family member there still came to give. I met many people who told me they did not have anyone there, but wanted to come and show their appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

After I put the ornament on Justin’s grave, my friend and I started to walk out to the road and go to another section. Just down from Justin was a large stone with six names on it. A young man was standing there in silence. The six were Marines killed in a helo crash in Afghanistan in 2012. This young man told me he was part of their group. 

I noticed there were only three wreaths, and was able to get others to help lay wreaths so they all were able to have a wreath. The young man told me thank you and I said God Bless You and Thank you for your service.  When I got home, my friend told me they have seen him down there on the other holidays like Memorial Day. This young man was probably the most profound thing that will stick with me forever. Although all of the event will be with me, I want to know more about this young man, but of course that was not the time to strike up long conversations. 

There were several events during the day at the JFK grave and of course the Tomb of Unknown Soldier. All were extremely crowded but yet silent. When Taps played every person took their hat off, placed their hand on their heart and the very large crowds were silent. I felt so proud to be an American that day. No hatred, no division, no politics. Everyone coming together as one, just like Americans should do.