This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season. Many will be barbequing and gathering with family and friends, while others will be gardening, going to yard sales, and even visiting the waterpark and casino for the first time.
Snowbirds even though fewer and fewer, and secondary homeowners are once again arriving throughout Sullivan County. Our campers and members of the Hasidic community are not far behind.
Many tend to forget that Memorial Day is a time for remembrance of those who have died in our nation’s service. With all the military operations currently ongoing throughout the world, please take a moment to remember those who were killed in defending the freedom we often take for granted.
Unfortunately, traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. To help re-educate and remind us of the true meaning of the day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed by Congress in December 2000.
The resolution asks that at 3 PM on Monday, we “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence”
In Sullivan County many noteworthy events will take place to salute those who have lost their lives in the line of combat.
Sullivan County Memorial Day Parades and Services – 2019
Saturday, May 25
Town of Mamakating: 9:30am – 12:30pm Cemetery Services at New Vernon, Burlingham Rural Free, Poplar Grove at the Phillipsport Community Center.
Sunday, May 26
Woodridge: 4:00 p.m. – Memorial Service at Veterans Park on Roosevelt Avenue in Woodridge. In the event of rain, the service will be held in the Village Hall.
Bloomingburg: 1:00 p.m. – VFW Post 4947 will host a Cemetery Service at the Bloomingburg Cemetery. Speaker will be the Honorable Frank J. LaBuda.
Tusten, Highland, Lumberland: VFW Post 6427 will have cemetery ceremonies to honor our deceased Veterans: 11:00 a.m. – Lava Cemetery, 11:30 a.m. – St. Francis Cemetery, 12:00 p.m. – Glen Cove Cemetery and 2:00 p.m. – Town of Tusten, – Ceremony at the Old Tusten Church.
Monday, May 27
Forestburgh: 9:00 a.m. “Memorial Day” Services will be conducted at the Veterans Triangle, Route 42 South, Forestburgh. Participating will be the local Veterans Organizations…all based in Monticello: American Legion Ruddick-Trowbridge Post #73 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Bailey-Richmond Post #9588. The public is cordially invited to attend. Refreshments follow at the Fireman’s Pavilion, hosted by the Forestburgh Fire Company. Al Etkin is Master of Ceremonies.
Monticello: 10:30 a.m. “Memorial Day” Ceremonies will be held at the County Government Center, 100 North Street, Monticello. The ceremonies will be hosted by the local Monticello-based Veterans Organizations: American Legion Ruddick-Trowbridge Post #73 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Bailey-Richmond Post #9588. Al Etkin is Master of Ceremonies. Refreshments follow at the Elks Lodge on North Street. The public is cordially invited.
Liberty: 10:30 a.m. On behalf of The Town of Liberty and Cpl. Russell D. Sprague American Legion Post 109, the Liberty Memorial Day Parade line-up on West Liberty Street and North Main Street at 10:00 a.m. The Parade will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. and travel through the business district in the Village of Liberty, proceed down Church Street, and end at the Liberty Veterans Cemetery on Cold Spring Road. Upon arriving at the cemetery, there will be a service to honor our War Heroes.
County Service: Liberty: 1:00 p.m. The Veterans Service Agency will provide a Memorial Day Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery, Sunset Lake Road, Liberty. Master of Ceremonies is John Crotty.
Wurtsboro: 1:00 p.m. American Legion Post 1266 will host the Memorial Day Parade. At the conclusion of the parade “Memorial Services” will be held at the Veterans Park on Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. Refreshments will be served at the Post home on 92 Pine Street.
Town of Mamakating: 8:30a.m. – Service at Edward M. Maier Memorial V.F.W. Post 4947.
9:00a.m. – Dedication and Service at Summitville Fire House and Monument. Wurtsboro Parade: Lineup at 12:30 pm, Step off is at 1:00 p.m. Hosted by American Legion Post 1266, refreshments to follow at Post.
Bethel: 11: 00 a.m. Service at the Veterans Park, Kauneonga Lake. Please be early! Refreshments follow at the Town of Bethel Senior Building.
Fremont Center: 10:00 a.m.135th Annual Fremont Center Memorial Day Parade: 9:00 a.m. Road Closure; 9:30 a.m. – Memorial Service at the Veteran’s Park (next to Town Barn). Please assemble at Town Barn by 9:00 a.m., parade transportation will be provided as needed. For additional information call Tony 607-290-4002
Long Eddy: 1:00 p.m. The Allan Milk Memorial VFW Post 7276 will have services at the Long Eddy Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at the Long Eddy Firehouse.
Neversink: 11:00 a.m. Flag Ceremony at the Flag Pole, Grahamsville Rural Cemetery. Flag Exchange: Donald Morton’s Flag will come down and Eugene Fuller’s Flag will go up.
Eldred: 9:00 a.m. Sylvan Liebla American Legion Post 1363 will conduct a Memorial Service at the Eldred Cemetery. 1:00 p.m. Tusten Highland Lumberland VFW Post 6427 and Sylvan Liebla American Legion Post 1363 will be doing a joint Memorial Service at Heroes Park, corner of Route 55 and Proctor Road, in Eldred.
Barryville: 9:20 a.m. Sylvan Liebla American Legion Post 1363 will conduct a Memorial Service at the Barryville Cemetery, Mail Road.
Lumberland: 9:45 a.m. Memorial Service at the Lumberland Cemetery – 10:00 a.m. Sylvan Liebla American Legion Post 1363 will conduct a Memorial Service at Lumberland Town Hall, 1054 Proctor Road, Glen Spey. Refreshments will be served!
Roscoe: Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. with a Memorial Ceremony following at the Roscoe Fire House.
Livingston Manor: 10:00 a.m. – Livingston Manor Memorial Day Parade and Service: Line up at 9:30 a.m. at the Livingston Manor Central School, 19 School Street.
Purchasing a Red Poppy from a Veterans organization during Memorial Day weekend has become a tradition.
The Poppy as many are unaware, became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, “In Flander’s Field,” describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
For more than 75 years, the Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of the welfare and the well being of the dependents of our fallen heroes.
God Bless the souls of those who have lost their lives for us.
Bill Liblick has made a name for himself of National TV Talk Shows where he spouted his outspoken views from the front row. Now he offers you his opinion every week in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in the Sullivan County Post
Well said. Never forget those who gave their all. To serve us. Home of the free because of the brave.