This weekend marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season. Barbequing and gathering with family and friends are starting up again as Covid19 restrictions are being eased.
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. But, like everything else – This year is different.
Sullivan County Memorial Day 2022
Saturday, May 28th
Mamakating: 9:00 – 11:15 am – Edward M. Maier Memorial VFW Post 4947 will hold Memorial Day Services at the following: 9:00 am – Poplar Grove Cemetery, 9:45 am – Monument at the Phillipsport Community Center, 10:30 am – Burlingham Cemetery, and 11:15 am – Pine Hill Cemetery.
Sunday, May 29th
Tusten-Highland-Lumberland: The Tusten-Highland-Lumberland VFW Post 6427 will have cemetery ceremonies to honor our deceased Veterans: 11:00 am – Lava Cemetery, 11:20 am – St. Francis Cemetery, 11:45 am – Glen Cove Cemetery and 2:00 pm –Ceremony at the Old Tusten Church, Town of Tusten.
Monday, May 30th
Bethel: 11: 00 am – The Sgt. Andrew Brucher VFW Post 5499 will hold a small service commemorating Memorial Day, in the Veterans Park across the street from the Kauneonga Lake Fire House. This year’s guest speaker will be Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan. Please arrive prior to 11:00 am and follow current social distancing guidelines.
Barryville: 9:20 am – Sylvan Liebla American Legion Post 1363 will conduct a Memorial Service at the Barryville Cemetery, Mail Road.
County Service: Liberty: 1:00 pm – The Veterans Service Agency will hold an abbreviated Memorial Day Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery, Sunset Lake Road, Liberty. Master of Ceremonies is John Crotty. Please follow current social distancing guidelines.
Eldred: 9:00 am – Sylvan Liebla American Legion Post 1363 will conduct a Memorial Service at the Eldred Cemetery.
Fremont Center: 9:30 am – Veterans Memorial Service; 10:00 am – Parade down County Route 94. Road closure of the parade route will be at 9:00 am.
Liberty: 10:30 am – The Town of Liberty will be having a Memorial Day Parade down Main Street and will conclude with a ceremony at the Liberty Veterans Cemetery on Cold Spring Road.
Long Eddy: 1:00 pm – The Alan Milk Memorial VFW Post 7276 will hold a Memorial Service at the Long Eddy Cemetery. Immediately following the service, there will be refreshments at the Firehouse and The Post’s Ladies Auxiliary will be putting on a buffet.
Lumberland: 10:00 am – For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the Town of Lumberland’s Memorial Day Observance will return as a brief outdoor event at the Lumberland Town Hall, 1054 Proctor Road, Glen Spey.
Mamakating: 9:00 am – The Edward M. Maier Memorial VFW Post 4947 will hold a Dedication and Service at the Summitville Fire House and Monument. They will have a Memorial Day Service at 11:00 am at the Bloomingburg Cemetery, followed by the Wurtsboro Memorial Day Parade at 1:00 pm. Parade lineup at 12:30 pm, Step off at 1:00 pm.
Roscoe: 10:00 am – Memorial Day Parade with a memorial ceremony immediately following, at the Roscoe Firehouse.
Tusten-Highland-Lumberland: 1:00 pm Tusten-Highland-Lumberland VFW Post 6427 and Sylvan Liebla American Legion Post 1363 will be holding joint Memorial Day Services at Heroes Park, corner of Route 55 and Proctor Road, in Eldred.
Wurtsboro: 1:00 pm – Memorial Day Parade, which will begin on Pine Street, head up to Route 209, left onto Sullivan Street, and conclude at the American Legion Post 1266, 92 Pine Street. A Memorial Service will be held at the Veterans Park located on the corner of Sullivan & 3rd Streets in Wurtsboro, at the conclusion of the parade.
Purchase a Poppy
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.
Please Get Vaccinated if you have not done so already.
Stay Safe!
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 in the “MOUTH THAT ROARS” Column in the Sullivan County Post