The families of Pearl Harbor servicemen who are now deceased gather for a special remembrance ceremony on Memorial Day in Owego, N.Y. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The Court Street Bridge and Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park, adorned in red, white and blue flags and wreaths, welcomed veterans and guests on May 28 to Owego, N.Y. for the annual Memorial Day parade and remembrance ceremony. Memorial Day is a day to remember the men and women who died while in active military service.
Activities began as early as 8 a.m. with the reading of names during the annual Roll Call of Deceased Veterans who are buried in all Tioga County cemeteries. A special
The Owego Free Academy parade band performs during the Memorial Day parade in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
remembrance service was held in honor and remembrance of five Tioga County servicemen who were at Pearl Harbor, with surviving family members in attendance.
The “Tioga County 25,” 25 Tioga County servicemen that lost their lives during World War I, were recognized with a special Roll Call in honor of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I this year.
Parade-goers lined the streets of downtown Owego just prior to 10:30 a.m., and then
Young parade-goers clap and enjoy the Memorial Day parade in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
cheered and clapped as veterans from V.F.W. Post 1371 and the Men’s and Ladies Auxiliary Units, along with the Tioga County Marine Corps League, the Veterans of Modern Warfare, and the Daughters of the American Revolution, among others, marched or rode in the parade.
Additional parade participants included Owego Elementary students, the Owego Free Academy (OFA) parade band, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, as well as local officials, the Owego Police Chief and several fire trucks and emergency vehicles.
Following the parade, Memorial Day Chairman and Korean War veteran, Jim Raftis, Sr. greeted guests and commented, “Tioga County never forgets her veterans.”
Students from Owego Elementary School march during the Memorial Day parade in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
During the remembrance service, Father Anthony Amato of St. Patrick and Blessed Trinity Parishes delivered the invocation and benediction and the OFA parade band performed the National Anthem, along with other selections of patriotic music, including a medley of five Armed Services songs.
Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 60 read the names of Tioga County’s 175 fallen heroes as Owego Elementary students placed remembrance flags in a patriotic basket near the monuments.
Members of the Daughters of the Revolutionary War shared the significance of
Youth and coaches from Owego Little League march in the Memorial Day parade in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
honoring those from that time period, and commented, “These soldiers should be remembered, they helped make us a sovereign nation,” and remarked that after the war many came back to live here.
Mike Middaugh and John Holton, of the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency, read names of Tioga County veterans who have passed away since Veterans Day.
In addition, Middaugh highlighted one of the “Tioga County 25,” William E. Weeks, who was killed in action in June 1918 at the Battle of Belleau Wood. Weeks, from Waverly, was
Veterans march during the Memorial Day parade in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
killed at what is still considered the bloodiest offensive in Marine Corps history.
Middaugh explained that June 6 is remembered by many to be associated with D-Day during World War II; however, the date is also significant to one of the most horrific battles of World War I.
Middaugh commented, “In just 20 days, nearly 10,000 were dead or missing,” adding, “Belleau Wood is how the Marines earned their nickname, the Devil Dogs.”
Tioga County Scout Troops march during the Memorial Day parade in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
William E. Weeks rests in the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France. Raftis acknowledged several other Tioga County veterans buried in overseas cemeteries.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, U.S. Navy fallen heroes were honored by a wreath thrown upon the Susquehanna River, and Taps was played by an OFA bugler along with a rifle salute by V.F.W. Post 1371.
Veterans march during the Memorial Day parade in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
A young girl carries a remembrance flag to place in a patriotic basket in front of the monuments in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
A Scout from Troop 60 reads names from the list of 175 fallen Tioga County heroes during the Memorial Day ceremony in Owego, N.Y.; looking on is Jim Raftis, Sr., Memorial Day chairman. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
A good-sized crowd gathered for the Memorial Day remembrance ceremony in Owego, N.Y. on May 28. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
The reflection of a wreath that was cast into the Susquehanna River in memory of U.S. Navy service members buried at sea can be seen from Draper Park. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Following the wreath casting ceremony, members of V.F.W. Post 1371 salute from the Court Street Bridge during a rifle salute and Taps. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Students from Owego Elementary School walk toward the monuments to place remembrance flags into a patriotic basket in honor of 175 fallen Tioga County heroes. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
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