Veterans from American Legion Post 401, V.F.W. Post 1371 and their Auxiliary, school groups, the OFA Parade Band, local officials, police, fire department, and first responders, among others, took part in the annual parade, which kicked off at 10 a.m. John Loftus was the parade organizer.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Iraq Gold Star Mother and Master of Ceremonies at the annual Service of Remembrance, Barbara Bilbrey, speaks to guests gathered on the Courthouse Square in Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n
Barbara Bilbrey, Gold Star Mother, was Master of Ceremonies.<\/p>\n
Bilbrey\u2019s son, Charles Bilbrey, Jr., was born and raised in Owego. A member of Scout Troop 38 and an OFA graduate, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was killed in action in 2007 while serving in Iraq. Charlie now rests in Owego\u2019s St. Patrick\u2019s Cemetery.<\/p>\n
Barbara remarked, \u201cAmericans who recognize the cost of freedom will not let their heroes be forgotten. We are teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our freedom, and the importance of never forgetting.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n The community lines Main Street on May 25 for the annual Memorial Day parade. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Barbara noted that Memorial Day was first observed after the Civil War, and Owego\u2019s memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1891. Today, there are separate monuments for WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terrorism.<\/p>\n V.F.W. Post 1371 Color Guard presented the colors, and the OFA parade band, under the direction of Lindsey Williams, performed the National Anthem. Later in the program, the band played a medley of Armed Forces tunes. <\/span><\/p>\n An Owego River Hawks Color Guard member flips a rifle into the air while marching with the Color Guard during the annual Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Deacon Michael Donovan of Blessed Trinity and St. Patrick\u2019s Parishes, a Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, delivered the invocation and shared, \u201cIn Washington, D.C. there is a memorial, often called \u2018The Wall,\u2019 that lists 58,220 names of men and women who lost their lives in Vietnam,\u201d and further explained that after the Marine Corps, he joined the Army Reserves as a drill sergeant and trained many soldiers. He is left wondering, \u201cI can only imagine there were many who gave their lives for this country, so Memorial Day is important to me,\u201d and added, \u201cIt\u2019s more than hot dogs on a grill; I remember those I served with, those I trained, and would like to honor all who gave their lives for this country.\u201d<\/p>\n Jim Raftis, Sr., who passed away last year just prior to Memorial Day was remembered by his sister, Dorolyn, a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary. Barbara mentioned that Raftis had held a Memorial Day ceremony in Owego since the late 1960\u2019s, and his presence was felt by many.<\/p>\n Pictured is a Hometown Hero banner honoring Charles E. Bilbrey Jr., Killed in Action in Iraq. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Pictured is a Hometown Hero Banner honoring James Raftis, Sr., and one of several banners recently installed throughout the Village of Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n The Memorial Day ceremony also paid tribute to the new Hometown Hero Banners that have been installed throughout the Village. Barbara shared that the program began in Harrisburg, Pa. in 2006 by a Gold Star Mother and quickly expanded nationally. <\/span><\/p>\n Guest Speaker Bob Russell, Executive Director of the Tioga United Way, discussed the launching of Tioga County\u2019s Hometown Hero Banners, which are a tribute to our military past and present, as well as to dedicated EMS and police.<\/p>\n Russell commented, \u201c135 banners have been installed so far, and 80 more are currently being made. These banners serve as a constant reminder of the heroes among us.\u201d<\/p>\n Guest Speaker at the Service of Remembrance, Bob Russell, Executive Director of the Tioga County United Way, speaks to guests about the Hero Banner program. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Russell explained that the program will continue with banners installed in every community within the county. He also gave thanks to those who were key players in making the program a success, with a special nod to the students and teachers at OFA, who edited photos and also printed the banners with equipment they have on-site.<\/p>\n Russell added, \u201cThe production stayed in Tioga County, minus the poles and brackets, and the students did an amazing job. We look forward to hanging more banners soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Students from OA Schools carry a banner in honor and remembrance of SPC Charles E. Bilbrey who was Killed in Action in Iraq in 2007. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Alan Petrush, a U.S. Navy veteran thanked the parents who brought children to the remembrance ceremony and spoke about the history of the Navy Hymn. The OFA Parade Band performed the Navy Hymn while Petrush walked to the Court Street Bridge and cast a wreath into the Susquehanna to honor all war casualties who are lost or buried at sea. One hero is Tioga County\u2019s first WWII casualty, Seaman Delmar Dale Sibley, who served on the U.S.S. Arizona at Pearl Harbor. <\/span><\/p>\n Lew Sauerbrey read the names of Tioga County\u2019s fallen, and Owego Elementary students presented flags at the memorials for the baskets of remembrance. Dennis Mullen, Director of the Tioga County Veterans Service Agency, read the names of Tioga County veterans who have passed since the last gathering and said that it was his honor to serve veterans and their families.<\/p>\n Members of V.F.W. Post 1371 and guests at the annual Memorial Day Service of Remembrance gather on the Courthouse Square. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Also remembered were POWs and MIAs who never came home to their families.<\/p>\n At the conclusion of the ceremony, Deacon Mike offered the benediction. A gun salute and volley were presented by V.F.W. Post 1371, and Steve Palinosky performed \u201cTaps.\u201d<\/p>\n Prior to the Memorial Day events, Mary Beth Jones and this writer read the names of deceased veterans buried throughout Tioga County cemeteries. <\/span><\/p>\n OFA Band Director Lindsey Williams marches alongside band members during the annual Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Owego resident Gary Mattscheck, donned in his World War I Doughboy uniform, marches during the Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Tioga County officials march during the Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Members of V.F.W. Post 1371, along with Auxiliary members, march and ride during the Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Village of Owego officials ride during the Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Tioga County Sheriff Gary Howard, followed by a patrol car, waves to the community during the Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n A contingency of fire trucks and first responders participated in the Memorial Day parade in downtown Owego. (JoAnn R. Walter photo)<\/p><\/div>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>