In Owego, Veterans Day observance is 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, in Warner Hall of Glenn A. Warner Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars. WEBO AM-FM air-time is 11 a.m.
Gen. John J. Pershing sounded taps at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, 1918, signaling the end of fighting in WWI. VFW Honor Guard bugler Steve Palinosky will play The National Anthem to open the program.
Outside, Owego Fire/Emergency trucks wil sound their sirens. Church Bells will ring 11 times at the Baptist, Presbyterian and St. Paul’s churches.
Inside, the Owego Free Academy Chamber Singers will sing patriotic music during the program; posting of the Colors by the VFW Honor Guard; invocation by Deacon Michael Donovan.
Speaker topics include:
Twin Tiers Honor Flight Missions by Guardian and U.S. Naval Academy graduate and retired 11-year President of the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group Al Eaton and wife Monica.
Recognition of NYS Rt. 38 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway of Valor on its 15th Owego Anniversary dedication above Turner’s Bridge.
Tioga County Veterans Service Agency Director Michael Middaugh.
The Sentinel. Story by Owego Pennysaver Editor Wendy Post. Sgt. Kyle Williams’ last day after four years at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Poem “In Flanders Fields” was first published in 1915. It symbolizes the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War. Vietnam Veteran Louis Sauerbrey researched its history. He’ll emotionally read John McRae’s most memorable war poem ever written. It’s used today all over the world.
Story of the Red Poppy – the enduring symbol of remembrance of the First World War and inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields”- by Dorolyn Perry of Post 1371 VFW Auxiliary.
Roll Call of deceased Tioga County veterans since Memorial Day from cooperating Funeral Directors. As each name is read, a Red Poppy will be placed in a wreath. The POW/MIA Table remembers four Tioga County soldiers still in Korea/North Korea.
For significant contributions over the years to veterans, Special Appreciation Plaques to Wendy Post-Pennysaver coverage, Tom Simons-Flags, Gordon Ichikawa-Sound, John Loftus-Parades and Dave Radigan-WEBO.
Attention to the Memorabilia table. Ryan Trenchard’s Eagle Scout project “Fallen Heroes Buried In Tioga County Cemeteries.” Also, the late Marie Ward’s album of “WWII Veterans Letters Home” and the OMS Eighth Grade Social Studies class book of veterans interviews by students of Teacher Mike Bartlow.
