WOODBOURNE — Veterans, firefighters, first responders and elected officials gathered in Woodbourne on Saturday for the first of many Veteran ceremonies that were held in Sullivan County.

A parade of fire trucks including departments from across the county made theirway down State Route 52.

The procession made its way to the Woodbourne Fire Company No. 1 firehouse.

Afterward, all who gathered entered into the firehouse for a special ceremony to honor not only those who lost their lives but also those who served and are still with us.

The ceremony was led by Master of Ceremonies and Woodbourne Fire CompanyChaplin Jim Kaufman.

Those who spoke were Fallsburg Town Supervisor Steven Vegliante, Sheriff Mike Schiff, District Attorney Jim Farrell, and U.S. Congressman Antonio Delgado.

Vegliante said, “We live in a place where it is ok to speak. You have rights that were guaranteed by our founding fathers. Those rights are not just ink on paper; those rights exist because veterans fought and gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Schiff said, “This is a day that we can take a moment and just think about them and their families, and maybe when you see a veteran, thank them for a service. These are people who guaranteed our rights.”

Farrell said, “Words on paper do not mean anything if they can't be backed up. And the way they are backed up in this country is through the sacrifice, the toil, the honor and the duty that our veterans show.”

Delgado said, “What makes our veterans so special, they sign up not knowing where they will be deployed, whether or not they will see combat, or if they will come home. They serve knowing they are defending our country, and they serve to defend our founding principles. They serve to protect democracy. It's a profound commitment, and it is one that we should always honor and cherish.”

Those who spoke each asked everyone to remember those soldiers who entered the military to sacrifice their lives for this country and for the right to be here. Some shared stories of veterans they knew and what it meant to know them and how they've affected their lives.