by David Flint
Bob Davis reopened his Knuckleheads Restaurant in Stephentown with a tribute on Saturday to Kathy Buckley of Military Mom In Action.[private] “I just wanted to say thanks,” Davis said, to the military mom who for the past 13 years has been sending care packages to our troops around the world. The organization she founded is now sending out more than 14,000 packages a year. At Christmastime alone they prepare and send about 2,500 boxes with snacks, socks, toiletry items and other things that soldiers in the field love to get. Davis, who is a Vietnam-era veteran, knows that what soldiers and sailors in the field and overseas want more than anything is “a taste of home.”
Davis presented Buckley with a bouquet of 24 roses, a Sam’s Club gift certificate and dinner for two at “Knuckleheads famous restaurant” and at Paolo Lombardi’s too. An American flag with signed comments by many of those attending was also presented to Buckley. One of those attending was Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino.
Other persons and organizations that were honored and participated in the event included Joan Mills of East Poestenkill representing the Gold Star Mothers, Sharon Sestak, Debbie Pinnock and Shirley Gawlak of the Leatherstocking Honor Flight, Ray Sestak of the Patriot Guard Riders, The Veterans of the Stephentown Area, Chief Jonathan Angley and Assistant Chief Rik McClave of the Stephentown Fire Department, World War II veteran Harold Williams and Vince Devlin of Stephentown, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Part of the ceremonies included a very moving description by Ray Sestak of a small dining table that was set up with a single chair.
This was the Missing Man Table in memory of fallen or missing service members. A wine glass on the white table cloth was inverted as the fallen or missing cannot partake; slices of lemon remind us of their bitter suffering; grains of salt represent the tears of families; a single red rose reminds us of blood that was shed and loved ones who keep the faith awaiting the return of the missing; a burning candle and yellow ribbon symbolize hope for the return of the missing.
Davis would like to thank all of the sponsors of this event, which included: Gettysburg Flag Works, Hannaford Supermarket, Nassau VFW, Paolo Lombardi Restaurant, Parisi Design & Co., Reliable Meat, Sam’s Club, Schodack Septic Service, Stephentown Volunteer Fire Dept, The Ivy Spa, Tremont Ace Hardware & Lumber, Village Discount Liquor and Mark from Freihofers.
More information about Military Mom In Action can be found on their website, militarymominaction.org or on their Facebook page.[/private]