LIBERTY

By Alex Kielar

LIBERTY – The Sullivan County Memorial Day service was held at Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty at 1 p.m. on Monday. Director of Veterans Service Agency Stephen Walsh led the service. 

Veterans Service Officer Zack Jones led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance while the National Anthem was performed by Lori Orestano-James, who also concluded the ceremony with a rendition of God Bless America. 

Guest speakers of the ceremony to give their remarks on the day were Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency Clerk Sheldon Dillon and Sullivan County District 6 Legislator Luis Alvarez. 

Dillon began his speech singing the “Some Say Freedom is Free” cadence originally credited to Private First Class Roger L. Southard. 

Taps was performed by Randy Peers while members of the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, NY State Police - Troop F, Liberty and Sullivan County Veterans Coalition acted as the color guard for the stars and stripes. 

Rev. Walter Haff delivered the Invocation and Benediction. A wreath laying ceremony was also included in the program to honor the Gold Star Families being highlighted and honored, led by Joseph Putnam of the Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency. 

MONTICELLO

By Vincent Kurzrock

Members of the Monticello community gathered to pay tribute in a Memorial Day ceremony at the Government Center. Master of Ceremonies Bill Kapito, the Spokesman of the County for Memorial and Veterans Day, led the event.

He explained that Monticello didn’t become a Village until 1906. To get into Monticello, he said that one had to pay a toll at the gate back then.

Kapito recalled that across from the gate was the “Eve House” and next to that was woods next to his house. He spoke of how he was walking through these woods and noticed something sticking out of the ground next to a tree. He dug it out and it turned out to be a rifle.

“Through a little amateur research of my own, I believe it dates back to a time in the late 1700s,” explained Kapito, “which is when General John Sullivan [whom the County is named after] held off the British and Iroquois Indians to make our new County.”

He explained that at the time he didn’t think of it but after 77 years he still has the rifle today. To preserve its historical significance, he then gifted the rifle to the Thompson Town Historian, Al Dumas.

KAUNEONGA LAKE

By Jacqueline C. Herman

The Kauneonga Lake Memorial Day service was held at 11am at the Town Square. Quartermaster of the KLVFW Post #5499, Howie Goldsmith opened the ceremony. He called attention to special guest Kathy Kropat, whose son Jason Kropat was a member of the 193rd army airborne division and died in Afghanistan.

Chaplain/bugler Randy Peers recited “We beseech thee G-d to bless the defending parting comrades” and “Bless our widows and children in our native home. Help us continue our duty toward them.”

Past Navy Senior Petty Officer Joe Collura spoke about New York State “small town hero” Shannon Kent who served in the navy since 2003. A cryptological technician and Chief Petty Officer, she possessed a “brilliant mind”, spoke five languages, and “led the way for women” by “increasing the effectiveness of joint special commands”. 

Serving in Iraq and Syria she died in a suicide attack in 2019, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart among numerous awards. She was granted a memorial service at Annapolis and was buried at Arlington Cemetery. 

Sullivan County Judge James Farrell commented that without the courage of our soldiers, “without their sacrifices, we’d have no other days and holidays to enjoy…The cost of freedom is born by ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things.”

ROSCOE

By Anthony Morgano

ROSCOE — The Memorial Day parade and remembrance ceremony in Roscoe on Monday was a beautiful ceremony that recognized and highlighted the sacrifice that many from the small town have made.

Beginning last year, the Memorial Day committee began collecting boots and photos of veterans to line the parade route, which attendees were encouraged to visit after the ceremony. The committee is up to 150 boots and 152 names of deceased veterans from Roscoe, which included the five veterans that passed away within the past year.

High schooler Wes Kinney performed the National Anthem, captivating the crowd before Perry Kuehn read the names of all of the veterans whose names lined the parade route.

ELDRED

By Derek Kirk

ELDRED — The Highland Town Hall was packed as Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6427 and the American Legion Post 1363 hosted the annual Memorial Day ceremony.

V.F.W. Post 6427 Commander Peter D. Carmeci, Sr. lead the service.

Also integral in the ceremony were Pastor Nancy Vonderhorst of Pond Eddy Methodist Church, Father Richard J. Bretone from St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Yulan, American Legion Post Commander George Haas and Chaplain Ralph Huebner, Pastor Susan Storms of Eldred Congregational Church and Taps player, Gary Skotch.

LONG EDDY

By Derek Kirk

LONG EDDY — Allan Milk VFW Post 7276 Commander Bruce Pesci presided over the Memorial Day service at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Long Eddy.