The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
HONORING SACRIFICE
Oneida: Memorial Day ceremony a time of remembrance
ONEIDA, N.Y. » Freedom isn’t free, and Oneida turned out Friday night to honor the memory of those who paid the “ultimate sacrifice” for America’s ideals.
“We gather here today to remember those who lost their lives in battle,” said Oneida Memorial Association President Lee Manwarren.
With a wavering voice, Mayor Leo Matzke said the Memorial Day ceremony was one of the most important events the city holds. “Today is a day we set aside to remember and honor all the American veterans, ordinary men and women, who sacrificed their lives during military conflict. Today we honor all those all gone who made the cause of America their supreme choice.”
“Freedom ranks among the greatest of all gifts known to man, but like anything of value, it has its price,” said Sgt. Vincent Scalise, a member of the New York Army National Guard and guest speaker for the ceremony. “Those who have lost a loved one in service to our country are all too familiar with the price that must be paid. The brave men and women we honor selflessly gave of themselves to defend a way of life where all people can determine their own futures free of oppression.”
He called on those gathered to listen with their hearts to hear the “whisper of the army of the dead” who “unceasingly utter ‘I love you to death’.”
Oneida High School sophomore Sage Carolla sang the national anthem, while senior Taylor Kranbuhl read the poem “Freedom Is Not Free” by Kelly Strong. Oneida High School band members Emily Gioeli and Mariah Joslyn performed “Taps.” As the rollcall of Oneida’s fallen soldiers was read, students from North Broad Street Elementary stood stoically on the street, wearing placards adorned with the names of those who gave their lives in battle.
“So many from this generation and many generations past have made that ultimate sacrifice to ensure that this country will never fail and never cease to exist, and that its citizens are always allotted the utmost of all freedoms, and that’s something you can never be thankful for enough,” Scalise said.
“The graves in Oneida and across our country, now deco-
rated by flags, remind us that freedom is not free,” Matzke said. “The military veteran resting there lived supporting the lives and values that create the backbone of our nation, and it is our solemn duty to remember them so that their lives will not be lost in vain nor go unremembered. For their lives were not committed to conflict or death, but to our freedoms and our safety.”
While Oneida kicked off Memorial Day celebrations, other local municipalities will host their own ceremonies and parades.
Sunday, May 27
Munnsville: Stockbridge Valley Memorial Day services will be held Sunday, May 27 at 1p.m. at the gazebo on Park Avenue. Services will be hosted by American Legion Post 54. Speaker will be NYS Senator David Valesky. The day will also feature a concert from 2:30-4:30p.m. featuring Matt & Thelma Chase, and fireworks at dusk at Carlon Field.