County gives thanks to veterans for service

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – An Honor Guard stands at attention during a Veterans Day ceremony today outside the Veterans Service Agency at 13996 Route 31 West.

Carl Boyle, a member of the American Legion in Lyndonville, is pictured at the far right. The Honor Guard did a 21-gun salute at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Frank Berger, left, and Ken Schaal are part of the Honor Guard doing a 21-gun salute at today’s Veterans Day ceremony.

The Rev. Tim Lindsay, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Albion, gave the invocation at the service. Three of Lindsay’s sons enlisted in the military and one continues in active duty.

Lindsay said veterans are role models, providing examples of putting service before themselves. He prayed for the families of veterans, who may feel anxiety while loved ones are deployed. Lindsay also prayed for veterans when they transition from active duty to civilian life.

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley addressed about 50 people at the ceremony. Hawley, a former member of the Army National Guard, said veterans have secured other rights for Americans, including freedom of press and freedom of speech.

“We should never forget the sacrifice of veterans,” Hawley said. “Let’s not forget the families of those deployed. They bear a special burden this season.”

The U.S. military ensures a safer world, Hawley said, responding to terrorists including Osama bin Laden and the ISIS.

Orleans County Legislator Don Allport said American soldiers have secured freedom for the United States, and much of the world. Allport, pictured next to Veterans Service Agency Director Paul Fulcomer, noted that 4,000 current Orleans County residents are veterans, about 10 percent of the county population.

Allport urged all county residents to take an oath to defend the Constitution. If everyone did that, Allport said, “America would be an unstoppable force in the world.”

Orleans County Legislator Lynne Johnson shared the words of General Douglas A. MacArthur, who addressed the Military Academy at West Point on May 12, 1962. “Duty, Honor, Country,” MacArthur told the cadets at the time.

Those words from MacArthur represent the ideals of the U.S. military Johnson said. She recently joined veterans on a trip to the Nation’s capital to see war memorials. She said she was touched by the veterans’ stories of service.

Jennifer Printup sings “America the Beautiful” during a Veterans Day ceremony today.

Veterans stand at attention during the service.

Russell Young of Medina plays “Taps” near the end of the service. He is using his father’s trumpet. His father Russell Young served in World War II. Behind Young is a 105 MM Howitzer, Model 101A1. It was used in the Korean War from June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1953. The memorial was dedicated on July 27, 2003, the 50th anniversary of the ending of the war.

A crowd gathers outside the Veterans Service Agency on Route 31 for a Veterans Day service today.