eastwickpress

A Day of Pomp and Circumstance

August 12 is fast approaching, a day when efforts to honor the 102 Town of Hoosick servicemen who died in service to our country will culminate in the dedication of Liberty Memorial Park, a sacred place where their memory will live on for years to come. The event will kick off at Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church, 484 Hill Road, Hoosick Falls, at 9:45 am.

We have been blessed by the many community members, family, and friends who have adopted our fallen heroes, but there are still many who do not yet have crosses purchased in their memory. If you appreciate the sacrifice these men have made for our freedom and are interested in honoring one of them in a tangible way, there’s still time.

To ensure your serviceman’s cross is here for the dedication, please contact Tom (686-5075), Gail (686-9888), or Joyce (258-5772) before Monday, July 24. Information can also be picked up at the kiosk at Maple Grove Cemetery. Servicemen who have not yet been adopted or whose crosses haven’t arrived will be identified by flags bearing their name, where they served, and when and where they died, until a cross has been purchased for them.

It will be a day of Remembrance as we honor Servicemen William Kirby and Edward J. Rogers with a flag raising ceremony led by Patriot Guard Riders at St. Mary’s Cemetery at 10 am (bus transportation provided from Community Alliance Church).

It will be a day of Recognition and Thanksgiving. At 11 am back at HFCAC, we will briefly recap Liberty’s journey as she flew over the gravesites of each of our fallen heroes; then all of those who have given of their time, talents, and treasure to help us honor these men since the Town of Hoosick Tribute Flag Program’s inception in 2012 will be recognized.

And, finally, it will be a day of Dedication as we move our event over to Maple Grove Cemetery about 12 Noon to commit Liberty Memorial Park to the memory of our 102 fallen heroes. Music and song will be provided by the Hoosick Falls Community Band and Shari King. We are thankful for the grant from Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Donor Advised Fund in memory of Korean War Veteran Herb Oscar Anderson that allowed this memorial to be built much sooner than expected.

We are honored to have William Schaaf, NYS Ride Captain Patriot Guard Riders, and Alan Amelinckx from the American Battle Monuments Commission as our guest speakers. Both of these men and their organizations have been instrumental in helping us carry out our mission since day one.

Though the thought of the sacrifices these men made make our hearts heavy, we will Celebrate and Honor them this day. Light refreshments will be served at the church when all is said and done. We hope you will join us. The event will be held rain or shine.

For more information, call one of those listed above.