by Bea Peterson
The upcoming trip to Hawaii for students at Hoosick Falls Central School is exciting. Some of them have never been in a plane. Others have never been out of the continental United States. Others have barely traveled at all. They are anxious to see everything there is to see and everything there is to do. They want to try snorkeling and surfing, among other things. But most of all they are pleased to be bringing the Town of Hoosick Tribute Flag “Liberty” with them and to see it flown at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu.
[private]On their last day in Hawaii they will be accompanied by a Patriot Guard Rider unit to the cemetery where ten Hoosick men are buried. “That will be awesome,” said Connor McCart. Jake Restino will see the place where his grandmother’s brother Walter Sluzas and brother-in-law Kenneth Hoffman are buried.
The Town of Hoosick men buried there are Gunner Mate 1st Class Sylvester T. Fosegan, Staff Seergeant Walter Gavin, Private First Class William J. Hayes, Private First Class Kenneth Hoffman, Corporal H.J. McLucas, Technical Sergeant James J. McGarvin, Radioman 2nd Class Earl A. Niles, Captain Walter C. Sluzas, Sergeant 2nd Class Stanley Edward Urbon, Lieutenant Harold Wilson and Sergeant Bernard Zilinskas.
So far the Tribute Flag, honoring Hoosick men lost in battle, has flown over Civil War cemeteries, European cemeteries and now Hawaii. “Liberty” will continue its journey overseas and then be retired.
Planning Ahead
The students and others going on this trip have been fundraising since last June. “We raised between $12,000 and $14,000,” said teacher and trip coordinator Deb Mabey. They raffled a quad, held bake sales and worked to put together the funds for this experience of a lifetime trip. “Some students have gone to Europe and other places,” said Mabey. “This time I thought I would try the other side of the world.” They arrive at Albany Airport at 5 am on Friday and fly to Chicago, Los Angeles and reach Hilo, Hawaii at 7:40 pm, with a six hour time difference.
They will visit volcanoes, a Macadamia nut factory, walk a black sand beach, visit historic sites, enjoy a Lu’au and Polynesian show, swim and much, much more. Mabey has planned a packed adventure for them. Can’t wait for their return to hear what it was like. Aloha! [/private]