Memorial Day moved inside school, due to high winds forecast

by Dan McClelland

High mid-morning winds forecast and the threat of a rainstorm prompted the VFW Post organizers of the annual Memorial Day ceremony Monday to move it inside the auditorium at the high school.

It was a wise choice, given the 15 mph winds predicted with gusts up to 41mph which would had made it difficult to hear the very moving speech of Shane Holmes, a veteran now associated with the Homeward Bound program that helps veterans and the others who spoke that day, had it been held as usual in the veterans park on Park Street.

-And the crowd of 100 or so enjoyed this year’s observance from the comfort of the auditorium’s comfortable seating.

This was the VFW Post’s turn to host the Memorial Day event here and Commander Tracy Luton welcomed the observers that morning.

The only thing missing in the event that morning was the annual firing of three volleys by the honor guard, which would have deafened those in the room and maybe posed a fire hazard.

Her first job was to welcome the retired Rev. Rick Wilburn to the podium in front of the stage to deliver the opening prayer, which honored America’s many who fought the good fight and lost their lives to that end. “To the many who served this country with dignity and honor, may they rest in peace.”

Commander Luton then called upon the Winged Eagles 4-H Club to lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, which the six or so of them did with confidence and skill.

Mike Larabie, commander of the Veterans Honor Guard called his members to attention before the youngsters began.

Commander Luton introduced the guest speaker, Shane Holmes, who currently works for Homeward Bound Adirondacks, as its events and education coordinator. Originally from Ogdensburg, he currently lives in Long Lake, she said.

“Shayne is a lifetime member of the VFW, is a New York State licensed outdoor guide and certified nature and forestry guide. He also facilitates Homeward Bound Adirondack three-day retreats, twice a month.

A veteran he served in the Marine Corps and U.S. Army National Guard, she said he did one tour in Iraq in 2004 and 2005. “It is my honor to introduce our guest speaker Shane Holmes.”

Mr. Holmes began by thanking the crowd for gathering that morning to honor and remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our nation.

“Tracy asked me to talk today on what Memorial Day means to me personally as a veteran. For me, Memorial Day is a time of reflection and remembrance. It’s a day when I abandon my daily routine, to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice!”

“For many others it’s just a long weekend, with barbecues, parades and family gatherings. But for me and for those who I served with and to those families who have lost loved ones, Memorial Day holds a profound, deeply meaningful significance!

“On this day of remembrance and mourning there are three names I want to share with you...three names I remember and always think about on this day.

“The first is Marine Lance Corporal Nicholas J. Sovie, from my hometown of Ogdensburg and who is a cousin of mine. He lost his life on the horn of Africa on February 19, 2006 during Operation Enduring Freedom.

“His dedication and sacrifice serves as a heartfelt reminder of the price of freedom.”

He said the second person he remembers often is Major Michael S. Evarets. Michael was just not a fellow soldier, he was my college roommate, a ROTC peer of mine and a very close friend. Michael died in Iraq on January 17, 2011 during Operation New Dawn.

“His leadership, his courage, his unwavering commitment to this country are all qualities I hold dear!”

Several times during his emotional speech, he became a little misty and had to take a moment to compose himself.

“Last but certainly not least, he continued, ‘is U.S. Army Sergeant Michael Uvanni. A friend of mine who I share a unique bond with, like me, he was a former Marine who joined the Army National Guard for the sole purpose of volunteering in Iraq. He gave his life in Iraq on October 1, 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

“His selflessness and bravery continue to inspire me!”

“These are not just names on some memorial wall, or just faces in photographs. They are my brothers, they are my friends and they are my heroes. Each one of them had dreams, had hopes and had families who loved them. Their sacrifices is testament to the highest forms of patriotism and I owe it to them to remember their stories and to keep their memories alive!”

“These three embody to me the true meaning of service and sacrifice. Their memories remind me always that freedom is never free. It is my duty and my honor to speak of them today...to keep their legacy alive!”

“On this Memorial Day, I want you all to join me in remembering and honoring not just these three, but all who gave their lives in the service of our nation!” he told the audience that morning.

“Let’s carry their legacies forward. Let’s insure that their sacrifices are never forgotten. In closing I ask you to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by our servicemen and servicewomen. Let’s remember their bravery and their dedication and let’s commit to insure that their legacy endures!”

“Thank you for being here today. Thank you for helping me honor my three heroes. May we never forget their sacrifices and may we always try to live up to the ideals that they bravely defended for our nation!”

He received a standing ovation from the crowd that morning.

Up next on the high school stage was the Tupper Lake High School Band, under the direction again of Laura Davison.

In their usual skilled fashion they performed a five-minute long medley of rousing and emotionally stirring service anthems- much to the pleasure of our hometown patriotic crowd. This year’s observance provided a much more familiar setting for the band- in chairs on the high school stage versus standing in the grass in the back of the veterans park, in all sorts of weather at Veterans Day and Memorial Day observances here this past decade or so.

To a person, the students really showed their skill that morning and we heard a number of “wows” from the audience amid the loud applause.

Commander Luton called their performance “amazing.”

Amazing too, she said, is Homeward Bound, where both her and the guest speaker that day both work.

Addressing the veterans in the audience Monday, in particular, she said “if anyone in the audience wants to know what we do please contact one of us at the VFW Post. We all lost someone there. If anyone needs help with anything, let us know. We do retreats twice a month. We hear stories around our campfires you would not believe. Many of the soldiers who come to our retreats sport tattoos that remember comrades lost,” she told the crowd.

More loud clapping.

She then presided over the annual laying of wreaths by numerous local groups and organizations, including the VFW Post 3120, presented by member Mike Larabie and American Legion Post 220, presented by its commander, Mark Moeller, Adirondack Leathernecks Marine Corps League, presented by Terry Tubridy, Tupper Lake Honor Guard, presented by new member Brandon Cooke, Town of Tupper Lake, Village of Tupper Lake, presented by Mary Casagrain and former town councilwoman Mary Fontana, respectively, Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department and its ladies auxiliary, presented by Fireman Mike Russell and his daughter, Christine, Tupper Lake Central School District, presented by Brock Fleishman and Raegan Fritts, Knights of Columbus, Council 2177, Tupper Lake Kiwanis Club, presented by member Dennis Jones and his tiny friend, Bella, Woodmen Life Foundation, presented by officer Judy Wilburn, and Sunmount Center, presented by Nina Tice Hare accompanied by a resident there. The final wreath was presented by Lyndon LaVallee, representing the CSEA chapter here.

The presentation of arms, without the volleys of course, was very crisp as usual, ably handled by two of the honor guard’s most senior volunteers, Commander Mike Larabie and Ray Bigrow. Joining them this year was newcomer Brandon Cooke, co-owner with Rachel King of the new jewelry and gem shop on Park Street.

Following it was the traditional performance of “Taps” by former high school band teacher Wayne Davison, who routinely plays with his wife’s student orchestra.

“Taps,” with its echo, was following by a short interlude by the school performers.

The closing prayer was again delivered by retired Pastor Wilburn.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming out today,” Ms. Luton, a former town councilwoman, told the crowd in closing. She announced the VFW after-observance gathering with refreshments and food, prepared by Phil Smith and other post volunteers, and encouraged everyone to join them.

“Please stop up...Phil and company didn’t make all this great food just to go to waste,” she told everyone. “Come out and enjoy it!”

“Thank you again for the nice showing this morning, when the weather didn’t want to cooperate. We all know Tupper Lake is strong, however. -And thank you band. As always, you guys are awesome!”