FREEDOM AT A PRICE
Veterans honored at annual Saratoga National Cemetery event
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. >>
Although the skies were gray, snow was lightly falling and a damp chill enveloped all, the 21st Annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Cemetery went on as planned.
Families, friends, comrades in arms, local celebrities and politicians all came out in solemn remembrance of those who fought and lost their lives or made it back, wounded in body and spirit. Families visited gravesides, spending time in remembrance of loved ones lost in several conflicts.
Couples and siblings brought flowers and sat in shared blankets to ward off the bone chilling dampness as they sat in prayer and recollection of the days past when their lost loved ones were still among them.
In a culture where there is very little ceremonial ritual or respect for those who dedicate their lives in the service to God and country, the faithful who will never forget paid little attention to the weather in order to take part in remembering those who have paid the ultimate price on foreign shores in the name of the freedom the rest of us remaining at home in the United States so often take for granted.
Saratoga National Cemetery Director W. Scott Lamb and his staff had prepared for the event with chairs placed out in a green field facing a tarp covered speaker and guest area where Chaplain
"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of every fallen soldier who protected it." — Saratoga National Cemetery Director W. Scott Lamb
Robert Gibeault, keynote speaker Robert Garland, SFC(Retired), US Army joined NYS Senator Daphne Jordan of the 43rd District, and school children from Stillwater Central School awaited their contribution to the reverent observance of veterans spanning several generations.
Lamb welcomed those in attendance by saying that those gathered were there “to honor and commemorate the dead and the living, all fellow Americans who in every war since this country was set forth have given testimony to their loyalty , their country and our shared American family.”
He made a point of honoring active duty, reserves and National Guard who remain at the ready in the present time in a world so full of conflict, instability, and the unpredictable throughout the globe.
Lamb ended his remarks with an unattributed that summed up the sentiments of the day’s event:
“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of every fallen soldier who protected it.”
The invocation was presented by Chaplain Robert Gibeault, whose prayer for the day included the following:
“We ask your blessing on all those who have served their country in the Armed Forces.
“We ask for healing for veterans who have been wounded in body and soul in conflicts around the world. We pray especially for young men and women coming home from Afghanistan with injured bodies and traumatized spirits. May we pray for them when they cannot pray.”
Students from the Stillwater Central School District led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance, and others read their essays on what Veteran’s Day meant to them personally.
A particularly stunning portion of the ceremonies was the stellar performance of the National Anthem by 2019 American Idol finalist, Madison VanDenburg, of Cohoes, who heartfelt rendering evoked many words of praise from veterans following the event.
Keynote Speaker, Robert Garland of the United States Army is the Commander of the Adirondack Chapter 60 Korean War Veterans Association. He was a Canadian Naval Sea Cadet and is a 20 year veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars, having retired in 1973.
He served in Vietnam in 1970 with MACV Psychological Operations, also known as Political Warfare.
He is the recipient of a litany of many awards and honors, including the Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, naming only a few
Senator Daphne Jordan joined the other speakers in reminding those present to always expire gratitude for their service when encountering a veteran:
“Veterans Day is a wonderful opportunity for all Americans to say thank you to veterans and their families, reflect upon, and honor, the selfless service and personal sacrifice of our nation’s true heroes.
“Every day can be Veterans Day, when we make the time, and make the effort, to let America’s heroes know just how much we appreciate them.
“Veterans Day had its origins as “Armistice Day,” which marked the World War I ceasefire between nations arriving at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, in November of 1918. In his proclamation a year later declaring Armistice Day, President Woodrow Wilson expressed a profound sentiment for America’s heroes.
“Saying “thank you” to a veteran sends a powerful message. If you see a member of our armed forces in uniform, please be sure to thank them and recognize their service.
“You can also visit a local Veterans of Foreign War or American Legion Post, as well as a Veterans Administration Hospital and deliver this important message in person,” Jordan said.