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A Community Choir performs near the podium during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park.

4 Memorial Day Services in Schuyler honor our fallen

SCHUYLER COUNTY, May 31 -- Ceremonies were held at four locations in Schuyler County on Monday, Memorial Day, honoring our military men and women who have given their lives in service to their country.

Morning services were held at the base of Shequagah Falls in Montour Falls, at the Naval Memorial at Seneca Harbor Park, on the Schuyler County Courthouse lawn in Watkins Glen, and at the Seneca County Veterans Memorial Park outside Odessa.

The service in Montour Falls occurred first, at 9:30 a.m., and featured U.S. Army E6 Staff Sgt. Tara Hoxie, a 1996 graduate of Odessa-Montour High School, as the keynote speaker, with Mayor John King as emcee. The Odessa-Montour High School Band performed two selections of music. Rev. George Norton delivered the Invocation and Benediction.

"Freedom is not free; it has a cost," Hoxie told the crowd gathered on the lawn fronting the falls, which were flowing heavily and loudly after overnight storms.

"We must prepare," Hoxie said, noting that "evil will not die ... but justice will triumph and freedom will reign."

The ceremony at the Naval Monument in Seneca Harbor Park was a brief one at 10:30, with members of VFW Post 2674 present, along with Boy Scouts that the VFW sponsors, Troop 2674. A hallmark of the ceremony was the casting of a bouquet of flowers into the lake from the pier by a member of the VFW Ladies Auxliary. That symbolizes Naval personnel who have fought across the years and sacrificed for the cause of freedom.

A parade then ran from First Street south on Franklin Street to the Schuyler County Courthouse Lawn, with Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, firefighters, and Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton among the participants.

The ceremony on the Courthouse Lawn featured a keynote address by Glenn Bleiler of the Town of Catharine, who served his country in the Navy from 1989-96. He had the rank of lieutenant when his active duty ended.

Said Bleiler in his address:

"'For love of country they accepted death.'

"That's how then Congressman and future President James Garfield eulogized our nation's wartime dead, 143 years ago today, on May 30th, 1868 in Arlington National Cemetery.

"'For love of country they accepted death ... and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.' That is what our nation's veterans have done for us ... for our country. What would those that have given so much ask of us? Why are we here today? Why are you here today? I'll suggest three reasons: to remember, to be reminded, to show resolve ....

"We are here today to:

"Remember those that have died in our country's service.

"Remind us of those who serve and sacrifice today.

"Resolve that apathy shall find no solace in our hearts, our homes, our institutions and our country."

*****

The ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park along Rt. 228 near Odessa -- under the auspices of the nearby American Legion Post 676 -- featured a keynote speech by Post Commander Rick Lewis, who traced the origins and history of Memorial Day.

"Please think of Memorial Day as something sacred," he urged the crowd of more than 200 people on hand for the service, "not just as the beginning of summer."

A highlight of the ceremony came next, with the recital by memory of The Gettysburg Address by 10-year-old 4th grader Casey Underdown, daughter of Jon and Michelle Underdown of Odessa. She delivered it slowly and flawlessly, as though a seasoned speaker.

The Odessa-Montour High School Band played once again at this ceremony, performing "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" and "Armed Forces on Parade."

A Community Chorus organized for the service by Kim Laursen also performed, singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic."

The Invocation and Benediction were provided by Rev. James Yao of the Hector Lodi Presbyterian Church.

Photos in text:

Top: Kim Blaha performs "God Bless America" during the ceremony in Montour Falls.

Second: Tiger Cubs round a corner during the Watkins Glen parade.

Third: Glenn Bleiler, the keynote speaker at the Watkins Glen Memorial Day ceremony.

Bottom: Ten-year-old Casey Underdown recites The Gettysburg Address during the Memorial Day Program at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park.

Members of the Odessa-Montour High School Band performed at ceremonies in Montour Falls and at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park.

A cartridge flies as an Honor Guard fires off a salute.

Left: Scouts raise the American Flag during the ceremony in front of the Schuyler County Courthouse. Right: A Scout studies the list of fallen Schuyler County military personnel printed on a marker on the courthouse lawn. (Both photos by Susan Bleiler)

Watkins Glen Mayor Mark Swinnerton, left, and County Legislator Stewart Field were on hand at the Watkins Glen ceremony. (Photo by Susan Bleiler)

American Legion Post 676 Commander Rick Lewis delivers the keynote address at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park (left) while the crowd, including veterans, listens (right).

Left: Mayor John King emcees the Montour Falls ceremony. Right: U.S. Army E6 Staff Sgt. Tara Hoxie delivers the keynote address in Montour Falls.

Acting County Attorney Dennis Morris, a candidate for Schuyler County Judge, was on hand at the Naval Memorial and Watkins Glen Memorial Day services.

Schuyler County District Attorney Joe Fazzary, right, a candidate for Schuyler County Judge, bumped into the current County Judge, J.C. Argetsinger, at the Montour Falls ceremony. Fazzary was present later at the Watkins Glen ceremony, too.

Members of the Montour Falls Fire Department reflect during the Shequagah Falls Memorial Day ceremony.

Trumpeter Bernie Riley plays "Taps" at the Naval Memorial service.

A flower left in tribute at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park.