Veterans Day 2018 is a day to honor our nation’s veterans. It is not a day of mourning, but a day of celebration and honor. Therefore, it is not a day of half-staff.
Tioga County Veterans Memorial
American and POW/MIA flags and flags of military branches fly on this day to show support to our veterans.
Dean Morgan of the VFW Post 1371 Honor Guard places a Remembrance wreath at the WWI Memorial. Honored are 25 Fallen Heroes of the First World War.
Church Services to Honor Veteran
Find a way in the Sunday worship service to honor those who have served and provide spiritual comfort to their families. Also honor the families of those who have lost loved ones in combat during the service.
Consider lighting red candles in honor of those who have served and white candles for those who perished while deployed. Also provide peace and comfort for their families, whose sacrifices often go unnoticed.
1918 – 2018 Bells of Peace – A World War One Remembrance
“Bells of Peace. A World War One Remembrance” encourages citizens and organizations across the nation to toll bells in their communities 21 times at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.
The American Legion encourages participation anywhere where people may gather on that day to honor and remember.
In Owego four churches have been asked to ring their bell. They are St. Paul’s Episcopal, Historic Owego First Baptist, United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Union Church.
The nationwide program is designed to honor American men and women who served 100 years ago during World War I, especially the 116,516 who died. The war ended by an armistice agreement between the warring countries at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918.
“Out of the Trenches – A Century of Remembrance
Remembrance service begins at 11 a.m. in Glenn A. Warner Memorial Hall of Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dean Morgan of Post 1371 Honor Guard sounds a trumpet at 11 a.m., the same time of the signing of the armistice 100 years ago.
Posting of the Colors by the VFW Post 1371 Honor Guard led by Walt Beardslee and assisted by other participating posts. Singing the National Anthem is Andrea McBride. Sister Mary, director of the Tioga County Rural Ministry, will give the Invocation.
A proud Army mother and Gold Star Mother, Barbara Bilbrey, will read the iconic poem, In Flanders Fields. The poem speaks volumes about those who lost their lives during the First World War on a field in Belgium in May 1915.
Tioga County has 25 Fallen Heroes from WWI. A red poppy remembers each hero as Mike Middaugh, of the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency, reads the honored name.
The poppy is a symbol of remembrance. Its origins lie in the opening lines of the war poem, “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian Officer John McCrae.
Honoring All Veterans Who Served
After he came back from troopship duty in Korea, Waverly’s now 87-year-old Gerald Keene began a lifetime of service to veterans. He’s a past Owego VFW Commander (1995-1996) and past member of its Honor Guard. Equally important he’s the longest living commander of the Waverly Betowsky-Van De Mark American Legion Post 492, the Ball Skerpon Catholic War Veterans Post 773 of Sayre and Waverly Memorial VFW Post 8104.
Civil War
Almost 101-year-old Oscar Barton of Owego is believed to have been the oldest surviving Civil War veteran in the Eastern part of the United States. He was the lone survivor of the New York Colored Infantry who fought during most of the war. His last appearance as a drummer was with the Union Fife and Drum Corps when they played at the dedication of the Tioga County Civil War Union Memorial at its unveiling on July 4, 1892.
Veterans of Modern Warfare
Fifteen-year Air Force Veteran Bill Reynolds served in Desert Storm. Army Infantryman Brian Spencer served in Iraq in 2008 and 2009.
Now a Pastor and still Chapter Chaplain Norm Reeder was aboard the USS Cole when it was attacked by two suicide bombers at a routine fuel stop in Yemen’s Aden Harbor. The Oct. 12, 2000 bombing was the first act of terrorism on a Navy ship. Today he’s Pastor of Central Baptist Church in Greene.
The three founding members of Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 9 will receive New York State Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom Awards from founding President, Danielle Ingram.
Honor Roll
Tioga County veterans who died since Memorial Day will be remembered by John Holton, director of the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency.
Where Are Fallen Heroes Buried?
Now volunteer wreath details will be able to locate by GPS and place an evergreen wreath at Christmastime on the grave of a Tioga County Fallen Hero. That’s because Ryan Trenchard selected this important Service Project for his Troop 60 Eagle Scout. Ryan will show and explain his 80-hour Eagle project including various listings of cemeteries and communities where Fallen Heroes are buried. Burials in Military Cemeteries Overseas are also included.
Two Significant Anniversaries
Ten years ago on Veterans Day, the dedication took place, designating Route 38 – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor. Two green highway signs – just north of Turner’s Bridge in Owego and in Newark Valley at the Route 38-38B intersection – remind motorists to remember these veterans.
The POW/MIA Table is a place setting for one and a table for all. The table is decorated with special symbols to help remember our brothers and sisters in arms.
Thirty-one years ago on Veterans Day in the Courthouse Square, the dedication of the Tioga County Veterans Memorial took place. It is a place to remember and reflect on the Fallen Heroes of Iraq, Vietnam, Korea, World Wars One and Two and All Who Served. Tioga County gifted the Memorial to Owego as a 200th birthday present.
Nearby, the 127-year-old Tioga County Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Memorial was unveiled and dedicated to her martyrs on July 4, 1891.
“In Harm’s Way”
Owego Apalachin Middle School Social Studies Teacher Mike Bartlow welcomes veterans who would like to share their service experience and be interviewed one-on-one with his students. There are 52 veteran write-ups available for review from his first “In Harm’s Way” project.
WWII Scrapbook
Marie Ward has an amazing scrapbook of WWII soldiers who while overseas wrote letters home. That correspondence was published – as was the practice then – in the weekly Owego Gazette and Times. Marie has transferred this data to a memory stick and will present the data on a TV screen. Furthermore, a hard copy will be available for review.
Memorabilia Welcomed
Memorabilia from all war periods is welcomed. Marty Schneider of Newark Valley will bring WWI papers, binder and photos.
Military Horses in Wartime
There were large numbers of horses and mules employed as cavalry, field artillery, and draft animals throughout all wars. Kevin and Denise Rung of the 137th New York Voluntary Infantry will focus on the significant contribution military horses in the highly mechanized wars. The Rungs will wear authentic WWI uniforms and also greet attendees.
Women in the Military
Veterans Day will recognize female veterans who have been part of our military since the beginning. They’ll be honored for their special place in history.
National Veterans and Military Families Month
President Trump’s proclamation encourages all, especially during November, to acknowledge and honor the service, sacrifices and contributions of veterans and military families for what they have done and for what they do every day to support our great Nation.
Northern Tioga Veterans
A free dinner for the 13th consecutive year by the Tioga County Historical Society awaits Northern Tioga veterans from Richford, Berkshire and Newark Valley at 4 p.m. on Veterans Day at the Newark Valley Fire Station.
Nursing Homes
Not forgotten are veterans in nursing homes. The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 1371 will visit riverview-Owego veterans.
Veterans at Elderwood-Waverly will hear their profile of military service at the Sayre Elks at the 2:30 p.m. Monday service. The four Valley mayors will express gratitude for their service. The Valley Color Guard participates.
Hometown Heroes
Waverly has 115 Hometown Banners this Veterans Day thanks to extraordinary work by Coordinator Becky Young of Becky’s Diner. Now Waverly, Sayre and Athens have Hometown Hero banners.
Kiwanis Flags
Owego Kiwanis planted small American flags in a “V” formation at their flagpole off Route 17C near the on/off ramps across from McDonald’s. The American flag and POW/MIA flag fly 24/7.
Observe Two Minutes of Silence
In 2016, the U.S. Congress passed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act that calls upon the “people of the United States to observe two minutes of silence on Veterans Day, beginning at 3:11 p.m. in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans throughout the history of the nation. Two minutes isn’t much time out of your day to devote to considering the heroes of the past.
Remember a Veteran This Veterans Day
America honors her veterans with a day of their own, a day that gives every rightful veteran the ability to talk, boast and reminisce about their military service with their fellow veterans.
Contact
For more information, contact Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial / Veterans Day Chairman Jim Raftis by email to jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
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