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Mayor, reverend stress the meaning behind the holiday
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| The city of HudsonŐs Memorial Day parade marches down Warren Street, in honor and remembrance of the men and women who have died serving their country. (Jamie Larson/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers) |
By Jamie Larson
HUDSON — Orators at Hudson’s Memorial Day celebration stressed the importance of remembrance. While a day off from work, barbecues and parties have become a staple of the holiday, out on the lawn in front of the Columbia County Courthouse, appreciation of the ultimate sacrifice made by American service men and women was center stage.
The morning parade wound down Warren Street, veterans saluting, flags waving and marching bands booming. The precession ended at the Fourth Street Park, where a crowd gathered to hear words of thanks and songs of praise.
Master of Ceremonies, Columbia County VFW Post 1314 Commander Vince Grimaldi, led the event. Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera, who served in the National Guard, opened the event. Scalera told the crowd that parents need to teach their children that Memorial Day is about more than a three-day weekend and that Americans have an obligation to show respect for those who have fought in America’s name. He urged everyone to talk to, and thank, a veteran and go home to raise a flag in their honor.
“Let’s pledge never to forget,” the mayor said.
The Hudson High School provided much of the morning’s somber entertainment, with the marching band serving up the customary patriotic songs. Jessica Sweet sang “God Bless America,” Dylan Meyer read the Gettysburg Address, and Morgan Libruk read “In Flander’s Field.”
Guest speaker Walter G. Smythe, U.S. Army Ret. (S.F.C.), Veterans Labor Services representative for the New York state Department of Labor, put the day in context.
“A good measure of a nation,” Smythe said, with the flags of the color guard his backdrop, “is that there are citizens in it who are willing to accept the challenge to defend and protect what is best in that nation — this is not a thing that should be taken lightly, but with full knowledge of the commitment to excellence.”
Smythe, too, stressed the importance of recognizing the meaning behind the day.
“I ask you to enjoy this day,” he said, “but before the celebrations commence, in your own way reflect on those whose willingness to save our United States of America, our way of life and all of us who love and appreciate it, with their lives and in so doing, paid the ultimate price.”
The Rev. Edward Cross, who is also Hudson’s Second Ward supervisor and serves the Endless Love Temple in Hudson, gave the benediction before a salute and bugle call ended the ceremony.
As the reverend began to speak, the church bells struck noon. The reverend did not pause. The 12 long chimes echoed in time with him, ending on the last word, as though the city itself was paying its respects, as well.
The morning parade wound down Warren Street, veterans saluting, flags waving and marching bands booming. The precession ended at the Fourth Street Park, where a crowd gathered to hear words of thanks and songs of praise.
Master of Ceremonies, Columbia County VFW Post 1314 Commander Vince Grimaldi, led the event. Hudson Mayor Richard Scalera, who served in the National Guard, opened the event. Scalera told the crowd that parents need to teach their children that Memorial Day is about more than a three-day weekend and that Americans have an obligation to show respect for those who have fought in America’s name. He urged everyone to talk to, and thank, a veteran and go home to raise a flag in their honor.
“Let’s pledge never to forget,” the mayor said.
The Hudson High School provided much of the morning’s somber entertainment, with the marching band serving up the customary patriotic songs. Jessica Sweet sang “God Bless America,” Dylan Meyer read the Gettysburg Address, and Morgan Libruk read “In Flander’s Field.”
Guest speaker Walter G. Smythe, U.S. Army Ret. (S.F.C.), Veterans Labor Services representative for the New York state Department of Labor, put the day in context.
“A good measure of a nation,” Smythe said, with the flags of the color guard his backdrop, “is that there are citizens in it who are willing to accept the challenge to defend and protect what is best in that nation — this is not a thing that should be taken lightly, but with full knowledge of the commitment to excellence.”
Smythe, too, stressed the importance of recognizing the meaning behind the day.
“I ask you to enjoy this day,” he said, “but before the celebrations commence, in your own way reflect on those whose willingness to save our United States of America, our way of life and all of us who love and appreciate it, with their lives and in so doing, paid the ultimate price.”
The Rev. Edward Cross, who is also Hudson’s Second Ward supervisor and serves the Endless Love Temple in Hudson, gave the benediction before a salute and bugle call ended the ceremony.
As the reverend began to speak, the church bells struck noon. The reverend did not pause. The 12 long chimes echoed in time with him, ending on the last word, as though the city itself was paying its respects, as well.
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