Highland and Lumberland honor veterans

SUSAN WADE
Posted 11/13/19

ELDRED, NY — They came to honor. From a babe in arms and pre-school children to nonagenarians, nearly 150 townspeople set aside a few minutes to pay tribute on Veterans Day.

One of the …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Highland and Lumberland honor veterans

Posted

ELDRED, NY — They came to honor. From a babe in arms and pre-school children to nonagenarians, nearly 150 townspeople set aside a few minutes to pay tribute on Veterans Day.

One of the participants was Andrew Kisela, 94, a Navy veteran of WWII. He served in the Pacific Ocean Theater on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and spent some of his service time in Guam. When asked about his specific duties while in service, he responded with a smile, “I did what I was told to do.”

Members of Tusten, Highland, Lumberland VFW Post 6427 and American Legion Post 1363 conducted the service. Prayers were led by local ministers Nancy Vonderhorst of Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, Father Joselin Berkmans of St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church and Susan Storms of the Eldred Congregational Church.

Vonderhorst told the assembly that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. Berkmans prayed for healing for all who have been wounded physically, mentally and spiritually during wartime. And Storms recognized every veteran as an ordinary and yet extraordinary human being, a person who offered some of life’s most vital years in the service of our country and who sacrificed many ambitions so that others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

Rep. Antonio Delgado was a guest at the observance, and concluded his remarks with a quote from President Ronald Reagan, “Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.”

The service was held at Heroes Park in Eldred. This year’s observance also marked the 101st anniversary of the end of WWI.

VFW, Highland, Lumberland

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here