WAVEM members perform the traditional Memorial Day laying of the wreaths at the Madison County War Veterans Memorial Thursday, May 30.
The ceremony included performance of the National Anthem by Holly Page, keynote address by USAF Col. Steve Kinney (Ret.), co-founder of Clear Path for Veterans, laying of the wreaths, live performance of God Bless America by Victor Ramirez, Hamilton American Legion Firing Squad and Peter Finocchiaro playing Taps. (Photos by Kevin Orr, Madison County Clerk’s Office)
Submitted by Donald Smith
(Wampsville – May 30, 2013) The Madison County War Veterans Memorial (WAVEM) Committee held its annual Memorial Day remembrance at the Madison County War Veterans Memorial. WAVEM organizes events and maintains the memorial.
During the program, Holly Page of Morrisville performed the National Anthem. Retired USAF Colonel Steve Kinne, co-founder of Clear Path for Veterans, gave a speech remembering our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice must remain foremost in our minds but that we can also honor them by vowing to help their brothers- and sisters-in-arms who fought and returned still alive but forever changed by their experience of war.
Clear Path in Chittenango assists veterans through the psychological, emotional and spiritual burden of their war experiences in a non-clinical setting as they reintegrate into our local communities.
Victor Ramirez of Madison Bistro sang God Bless America; Hamilton American Legion Post 375 Firing Squad provided three volleys, and Peter Finocchiaro performed Taps on the trumpet.
WAVEM is comprised of 12 directors who are all veterans from across the county: Douglas Ginney, Donald Smith, L. James Button, Rick Warham, Robert Conway, Weldon Allen, Jerry Brophy, Joseph Gaiser, Ray Bennett, Ben Barrett, Tim Clavin and Bob Clarke.
May God bless this great country that we all call home.
Donald Smith is director of the Madison County Veterans Service Agency.