ELDRED, NY — The sun dared to peek through the overcast skies as townspeople gathered at Heroes Park in Eldred to remember the honored dead on Memorial Day. 

Tusten-Highland-Lumberland Post #6427 VFW Commander Peter Carmeci Sr. welcomed those in attendance at the brief service. Members of the VFW and American Legion Post 1363 participated in the ceremony. 

Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst of the Pond Eddy United Methodist Church led the invocation, saying “May our gratitude be eternal.” Following her was Father Joselin Berkmans from St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Yulan, who added to the prayer, “We ask you to heal our wounded warriors who returned home in pain after they gave their all for this great land. Bless them. Restore their souls. Heal their bodies. Bring salvation to the lost. Father, we ask you to bless the families of our military who stay behind while their loved one goes into battle… have mercy on all Americans and bring us to a state of repentance in these difficult times.”

Following the prayers, Carmeci acknowledged the attendance of Sullivan County Legislator Nadia Rajsz, Highland Supervisor Jeff Haas, town council members Jim Hanson and Caitlyn Haas of Highland and Joe Carr of Lumberland, and Andy Boyar, former Highland supervisor and a champion of establishing Heroes Park.

Richard Vandevelde, a member of the honor guard, read a poem titled, “It is the Soldier,” after which Rev. Susan Storms of the Eldred Congregational Church pronounced the benediction. Her prayer was “may we go remembering and honoring all those men and women who walked into the chaos and destruction that is war and gave all of themselves so that we who remain behind may continue to live in the freedom for which they fought so bravely. And we ask, Lord, that You would help us to remember, not just for today, but every day, and may we remain a grateful nation to all who have sacrificed everything so we may remain free.”

Following the benediction, the honor guard gave a three-gun salute and Gary Skotch, a Marine veteran, played taps.

For more Memorial Day coverage see page 5.