Northern Tioga County Veterans honored during free Veterans Day dinner

The Newark Valley Historical Society honored veterans of all Armed Forces from Berkshire, Newark Valley and Richford at a free dinner held at 4 p.m. on Veterans Day at the Newark Valley Fire Station. 

The posting and retirement of the flags by the Owego Honor Guard of Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars included Officer of the Day Walt Beardslee, along with Gary Case, George Carrigan, Dean Morgan, and Cliff Sherwood. 

In the program, Dean Morgan said the VFW Honor Guard has participated in 45 funerals since last Veterans Day and 307 since Feb. 12, 2012.    

Cheryl Caister, vice chair, Board of Trustees, Newark Valley Historical Society, welcomed the veterans, their family members and friends. Attendees enjoyed a baked ham dinner with homemade apple or pumpkin pie with ice cream prepared by the Ladies of the Historical Society. 

Organizer Marcia Kiechle was unable to attend. All present signed a “Miss You” and “Get Well Soon” card for delivery by Vice Chair Caister to her home.   

Jim Raftis served as Master of Ceremonies for the 14th year. Remembered were Northern Tioga County veterans who died since Memorial Day. Tribute was paid to Tioga County’s first Iraq Fallen Hero, Navy Petty Officer Third Class Nicholas Wilson. The 25-year-old was killed on Feb. 25, 2006 in Al Anbar Providence by an improvised explosive device. 

Honored guest, Dick Zavatto, outlined his process used for the beautiful Candor Veterans Memorial in Maple Grove Cemetery. Veterans encouraged Newark Valley, Richford and Berkshire communities to start planning for a Veterans Memorial to honor their veterans.  

Three Purple Heart recipients were honored. Veterans from WWII, Korea and Iraq stood for recognition. 

VFW Men’s Auxiliary Ray Settle performed “The POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony.” VFW Post 1371 Officer of the Day Walt Beardslee passionately read the poem, In Flanders Fields. Display tables set up by Marty Schneider for Newark Valley Historians honored all veterans.