‘Patriotism in its purest sense’: Fallen heroes remembered, saluted on Memorial Day

MILLERTON — The shared sense of community among village residents was exceptionally strong on Monday, May 27, as the village of Millerton assembled to salute this country’s fallen heroes at the annual Memorial Day ceremony.

The village had a picture-perfect day for its annual Memorial Day parade and the light breeze gave the American flags set up along the village streets an extra lift. With the chime of the bell and the roar of the firehouse siren at 10 a.m., everyone turned their attention to the streets in anticipation of the parade, which kicked off with music performed by the Webutuck middle and high school bands.

As officials, soldiers, musicians and vehicles made their way down Main Street, they were greeted with applause from residents scattered along the sidewalks, and a couple participants tossed candy and trinkets for the children. 

After welcoming remarks by American Legion Post 178 Historian Sean Klay, the annual Memorial Day ceremony commenced with an invocation by American Legion Post Chaplin Julien Strauss. With a lone trumpet playing the background, the American flag was raised to half mast.

“Today is a day we put aside to remember the fallen heroes and hope that no heroes will ever have to die for us again,” Klay said.

Klay noted Memorial Day is a day meant to honor 1 million men and women who served in battles spanning the American Revolution to the War on Terror.

Likening the celebration of Memorial Day as “patriotism in its purest sense,” Village Trustee Joshua Schultz read aloud a document signed by Village Mayor Debbie Middlebrook and North East Supervisor George Kaye that declared May 27, 2019 as a solemn day of remembrance in the community. As the ceremony’s keynote speaker, Todd Bookless’ speech concentrated on reflection and sacrifice, especially in remembering the soldiers’ sacrifice for the love of their country. 

Returning to the podium, Klay dedicated this year’s celebration to Robert Liner, a local corporal in the United States Army who was killed in France in November, 1944. Following the Webutuck students’ performance of “God Bless America,” he read aloud the list of local soldiers who served in their country’s battles, and each name was marked with the tap of a bell. A hush fell over the park as each unanswered name in the roll call reflected a fallen soldier, and the music of taps stood out in the silence.