by Steve Bradley and Alex Brooks
On a brisk November day, a Veterans Day ceremony was held at the Bennington Battlefield to honor the soldiers who fought in this battle. [private]
David Pitlyk, Historic Site Assistant, began the ceremony with the introduction of the participants. John Sheaff of the Sons of the American Revolution, spoke of the soldiers and their sacrifices. Other participants included Jeanne Massey of the Daughters of the American Revolution for a wreath dedication and a musket salute by Peter Schaaphok, who was dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier. Taps was performed by Hope Chinian. The Boy Scouts of Arlington, VT and Girl Scouts of Hoosick Falls, led by Matt Granger and Joyce Brewer respectively, held a flag retreat ceremony.
The flag used in the ceremony, The Town of Hoosick Tribute Flag known as “Liberty,” is the centerpiece of a project sponsored by Voice of a Vet. The project’s mission is to honor every Town of Hoosick serviceman who was Killed in Action, Missing in Action or Died in Service with a flag ceremony that will take place where their body lay at rest, whether on U.S. soil or overseas.
It has flown over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington VA, and over the resting place of U.S. servicemen in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and in the summer of 2014 was taken on an eleven-state tour where it flew during 22 tributes that honored 26 Civil War soldiers from Hoosick. On Memorial Day and through the summer of 2015, it flew over many more tributes to Hoosick soldiers at the Memorial Day festivities, the Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Celebration, and during a day-long tour of local cemeteries.
The Tribute Flag project has been tirelessly led by Gail Smith and Tom McMartin of Voice of A Vet, with research assistance from Charles Filkins and Philip Leonard of the Louis Miller Museum, and a lot of help from the Patriot Guard Riders. Gail Smith said, “There are still men located in cemeteries overseas and abroad who have yet to be honored. The Town of Hoosick Tribute Flag Program will continue until all have been recognized and honored. Upon completion, we will celebrate and retire our community’s beloved Tribute Flag.” She said it has been exciting to see all the people who have jumped in to help with the project over the last few years.[/private]