LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - NOVEMBER 4, 2018 We Will Not Forget: November 11 at 11AM on Trigon Park by Lynne Belluscio Look carefully at the men in this photograph. Is that your grandfather or great-grandfa- ther in the back row? Perhaps your great-uncle is sitting on the right? These are the forgotten soldiers - -those who served our country during World War I. They were willing to sacrifice their lives to defend our allies in Europe and preserve our freedom. And we do not know who they are. Their faces stare at the camera. “Here we are! We are the vet- erans of World War I. We have come home.! We have gathered in front of the town hall, to re- member our brothers in arms. “ And there were wom- en from LeRoy who became nurses and served in hospitals both here and abroad. Women who saw the horrors of war and held the hands of men as they lay dying of wounds or as their lungs burned with gas – or they died of influenza. They are all gone, never to know that this community has finally acknowl- edged their sacrifices. They lay in graves, here, and far away places. Some are recognized by a small flag on Memorial Day, but during their lifetime they preferred not to talk about the War - - the War to EndAll Wars. It was to be forgotten, and with their passing we have forgotten. We have forgotten their faces, their names and their sacrifices. But on Sunday, November 11, at 11 in the morning LeRoy will remember. We will gather on Trigon Park to dedicate a grey granite marker to the 270 who served and the twelve that died in service to their country. We want to thank all the people who have made do- nations to the LeRoy World War I monument. We have come al- most to our goal of $5000. Just last week, two people on a bus tour from Canada, bought two enamel poppy pins and then came back to buy another for a friend of theirs. We have five pins remaining that will bring another $100 closer to the goal. Perhaps you have no- ticed that the two maple trees on either side of the Civil War monument have been removed. It became obvious that they were crowding the monument and adding to the acid degra- dation of the statue. The flood light, installed in memory of George Cory could barely cast any light. By the dedication, the chains and posts that surround the monument will be removed and this winter, plans will be started for landscaping this area of Trigon Park, which will in- clude a marker for the veterans of the Korean War. The Botts Fiorito American Legion Post was cre- ated after World War I to sup- port and help returning veterans. They will preside over the cere- monies and they will provide an honor guard and a military sa- lute. All the churches that can participate will toll their bells at 11 AM 21 times in a National Salute to the men and women who served in World War I. Terry Krautwurst and I will read the honor roll of the twelve LeRoyans who paid the supreme price. Two hundred and seventy red poppies with the names of each of the LeRoy WW I veterans will be placed in the field around the monument at the reading of In Flanders Fields. The traditional hymn of Remembrance Day will be led by Laura Williams, followed by Taps. O God, Our Help In Ages Past Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same. A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun. Time, like an ever rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day. Like flowery fields the nations stand Pleased with the morning light; The flowers beneath the mow- er’s hand Lie withering ere ‘tis night. Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while trou- bles last, And our eternal home. T-shirts • Hats • Visors • Tank Tops • Jackets • Towels GREAT GIFTS FOR YOUR FAMILY • FRIENDS • ETC. 1 Church St., Le Roy, NY • 585-768-2201 • Fax 585-768-6334 • Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:00-5:00 E M B R O I D E R Y lpgraphics.net