Owego’s First Friday celebrates veterans

Owego’s First Friday kicked off a month long celebration on July 6, “Celebrating our Heroes.” Guests met local veterans while enjoying good food, great music and shopping in historic downtown Owego. 

With generous support from Lockheed Martin, the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency and the Historic Owego Marketplace (HOM), flags to honor all who have served were unveiled and placed around downtown Owego by the Department of Public Works.

Bradley Crews, HOM president and manager at Owego Originals Bar and Lounge, explained that other dates were considered, and commented, “Choosing First Friday in July was a ‘patriotic compromise,’” and also shared that he hoped people who attended took away a sense of community.  

During First Friday, numerous merchants held specials and discounts for veterans. Three veteran organizations, which included V.F.W. Post 1371 and the Marine Corps League, along with the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) set up individual booths on Lake Street to meet-and-greet the community.    

Prior to the evening events, WWAST representatives visited the Tioga County Historical Society. The group donated a jersey to Director Scott MacDonald for the museum’s special exhibit, “200 Years of Serving Our Country.” The exhibit, slated to run through September, chronicles the revolution era through today and features uniforms and artifacts from local service members. For more information, visit the museum’s website, www.tiogahistory.org.

WWAST Director Desiree Ellison explained that WWAST, formed in 2011, is a not-for-profit whose mission is to inspire and educate others while enhancing the health and welfare of WWAST members and is comprised of athletic veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs.

“Our team is one-of-a-kind,” Ellison said, adding, “Our team competes all across the United States.”

Ellison remarked that at one tournament in North Dakota that drew more than 450 teams, and most of them able-bodied, proved the athleticism of the WWAST team. WWAST took home a third place trophy.

WWAST member Jeff Hackett, of Mexico, N.Y., retired from the U.S. Army in 2013 after 20 years. Hackett, involved in an incident while serving overseas, lost his right leg, and also deals with lessened mobility in his right arm and hand.

While at Walter Reed Medical Center, Hackett shared, “I got discharged quicker than they expected,” and today, shares his inspiration and positive, determined-to-succeed attitude with others. He also enjoys shooting sports photography for the team.

One of WWAST’s main fundraisers, raising money for their WWAST Kids Camp, hosts children who have amputations or missing limbs. An annual event, this year’s camp was held in Manchester, N.H. The camp educates and inspires children who face many of the same challenges as WWAST members.

Ellison explained that children leave saying it is the best week of their life, while WWAST players, who have already served their country, continue serving communities across the U.S. as mentors and coaches.

WWAST will be back in the area this month, playing at Dunn Field on July 21 versus the Elmira Pioneers. You can follow the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team on Facebook, or visit their website, woundedwarrioramputeesoftballteam.org.

Also attending First Friday on July 6 were representatives from the Marine Corp League and the V.F.W. Post 1371. Both groups are seeking new members, and particularly younger veterans who can help carry on the tradition of giving back to the community while enjoying some camaraderie at events and activities.  

For information, contact the V.F.W. at (607) 687-1371 or Dean Lawton from the Marine Corp League at (607) 761-8558.

Discounts for veterans will continue for the remainder of July at various merchants in downtown Owego. To learn more, visit the HOM website, www.owego.org.