by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur community gathered together on May 31 during the 2021 Gouverneur Memorial Day Observance to pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The annual observance was hosted by the James Maloy American Legion No. 65 in conjunction with the Silas Wainwright VFW Post No. 6338 in Gouverneur.
The 2021 Gouverneur Memorial Day Parade lined up on Rock Island Road at 9:30 a.m. Traffic control was handled by local law enforcement. At the 10 a.m. start time, the parade turned right onto Route 11 past the Gouverneur Village Park where the Gouverneur community waited in great expectation – donned in patriotic gear and waving American flags.
The Parade Marshal was Ed Ramos.
The parade was led by Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill in a Gouverneur Police Department car. Next was the color guard from the James Maloy American Legion Post 65 and Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338. In addition the veterans, there were also auxiliary members as well as the Sons of the American Legion. Both the American Legion and the VFW had floats in the parade.
Local dignitaries also participated in the parade, including Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall, Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine, Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr., Town of Gouverneur Councilman Curran Wade. Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Eldon Conklin, Village of Gouverneur Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie among others also were in attendance at the observance.
Also in attendance were the Gouverneur Cub Scout Troop 21, Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, and Civil Air Patrol of the Ft. Drum Composite Squadron. A crowd favorite was the appearance by Marble City Bomber Softball, a traveling 10u, 12u, 14u, and 16u girls softball organization dedicated to providing girls in NNY the opportunity to play competitive ASA softball. The youth threw candy to those along the parade route, and many community members along Main Street scurried to pick up the free candy during the parade.
There were also tactical military vehicles brought to the Gouverneur Memorial Parade by the NY Army National Guard.
The Gouverneur Fire Department also brought Engine-18 and Truck 2 to the parade. The Gouverneur Rescue Squad brought it’s a-175 vehicle. Also in attendance were DeKalb-Richville Fire District’s Engine 12 truck and Oxbow Fire Department’s Fighting 33 truck.
Also in attendance was the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.
The U.S. Navy Wreath was presented at the Route 11 bridge over the Oswegatchie to salute the dead. It was conducted by Mike Webster and Mike Knowlton. The parade then turned left on Hailesboro St. to the Riverside Cemetery where the 2021 Gouverneur Memorial Day Ceremony was to be held.
The Master of Ceremonies Gloria Weldon welcomed all in attendance. The invocation was conducted by American Legion Auxiliary President Deanna Cline, and the Pledge of Allegiance was hosted by local cub scouts from Gouverneur Cub Scout Troop 21, followed by the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Master of Ceremonies Gloria Weldon then conducted the acknowledgement of local dignitaries, including St. Lawrence County Legislator District 5 Harry A. Smithers II (R-Gouverneur), St. Lawrence County Legislator District 6 Larry Denesha (R-DeKalb), Gouverneur Village Mayor Ronald McDougall, Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustee members, Gouverneur Police Chief Laurina Greenhill, Town of Gouverneur Supervisor David Spilman, Jr., Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine, Town of Macomb Supervisor Steve Burke, Town of Rossie Supervisor Harry Turnbull.
Bagpipe selections, including “Amazing Grace,” were performed by Jeff Forsyth of Antwerp.
Master of Ceremonies Gloria Weldon then introduced the guest speaker, Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall.
In his address, Mayor McDougall said the following: “It’s a great day to be an American. Somebody mentioned that to me a little while ago, and yeah, it is. There is no question about that. We’ve had our controversies recently and we have our history of controversies. But it is a great day to be an American. For 245 years or so, it has always been a great day to be an American – not just today.
“I was advised to talk about Memorial Day as I remember it… Better known as Decoration Day to some, when I was a child, I remember the local parades. I lived in Waddington… We remembered the World War I veterans. The reason I am stumbling a bit is they seemed so old. But in the reality, when I looked in the mirror this morning, I look just like they did as I was growing up in the early ‘50s. That’s the way I remember that…
“Yes, there was some remembrance on Memorial Day with family. But then I got older, as a teenager in the Vietnam era, and I was a Hawk, in favor of the war. I was in favor of justice and the war and defending ourselves across the globe, no matter where or when. And of course, at that time, it was Vietnam…”
Mayor McDougall then remembered a former classmate at Madrid-Waddington Central School and former co-worker, PFC Larry Edward Christie, who passed away on March 27, 1969 in Vietnam. Mayor McDougall told the crowd gathered that he had a paradigm shift as reality struck and he realized the definition of sacrifice. He said he still remembers the day that his mother called him to inform him that a United States Marines vehicle was parked in front of the Christie home. “I knew ultimately what that message was more than likely,” Mayor McDougall said, explaining that two dress Marines and a priest arrived at the home. “For anybody who knows, it has been the same for decades, centuries. When the military comes to the mother’s house or the spouse’s house, it is usually not good news. And on that day, Arvilla Christie became a Gold Star Mother. So that day, even a small place like Waddington … even smaller than Gouverneur… Vietnam had come home, for sure.
“PFC Larry Edward Christie, a Marine, was born on October 7, 1949. He was two weeks younger than me. He died on March 27, 1969. And yes, his remains were found. Not only was he a teenager, but also a volunteer. He did not get drafted. He also left a widow, Rita, and an infant daughter. Supreme sacrifice in Waddington on that day in March, 53 years ago.
“For St. Lawrence County there is actually 26 deceased – one from Gouverneur, Raymond Lee Cook. He was in the Army. He was born in 1945, and his remains were found as well. Out of the 26 fatalities, there is one MIA, Kenneth Frank Backus. He was an Air Force Captain. He was born in 1938 from Pyrities, and his remains were not found. So, PFC Christie and 25 others from St. Lawrence County were added to the full amount in the Vietnam War. For those who remember, there were north of 50,000 – significant to say the least, no question about that.
“Yes, Memorial Day has been commercialized. We’ve gone to the fifth Monday whenever it falls in May, but nevertheless we recognize it. This is my 53rd year of remembering Larry, for a few minutes on Memorial Day. Waterloo was declared by President Johnson and agreed to by Congress to be the first Memorial Day or Decoration Day celebration. They had a community wide celebration versus some other parts of the country that just had something at the cemetery – something like this.
“Since 1969, I’ve been more of a cautious Hawk, which includes two decades of a war soon to conclude in Afghanistan. Some people say, “Why?” How quickly can you forget? It hasn’t been quite two decades. How can you forget that we were attacked on September 1, 2001. What choice did we have? I know it has been difficult, and I know some people in NNY made the ultimate sacrifice. But what were we to do? Those killers attacked us based in Afghanistan. They didn’t care what race you were. They didn’t care what country you were from. They didn’t care what religion you were. They were just out to kill people and send a message to the rest of the world, starting with the No. 1 country, the United States of America… We should never forget that…
“I’ve had several calls throughout this COVID time. A short call was scheduled at the last minute. It was a nice spring day. I decided to take it on my cell and come over here to the cemetery and walk around a little bit… A lot of sites were not marked like they are today, it was obvious that we have a lot of veterans in this cemetery. There’s no question about that… Through all our cemeteries, you will see centuries of people who served this great nation. You are going to hear Taps in a few minutes, and when you hear Taps, I’ll be thinking of Larry… And I ask each one of you to think of a lost one, relative or friend. Everyone here has some. This is a military community. It is the largest community in St. Lawrence County closely associated with Fort Drum 10th Mountain Division. Think about that.
“God bless our military, past, present and of course our future. If democracy is to survive in this country, for this country, we need a strong military. God bless you and God bless America. Thank you.”
The Presentation of Ribbons was then hosted with escort assistance by the Civil Air Patrol and local cub scouts. The ribbons were placed on the memorial wreaths as follows: Donald Payne (WWI), Bill Randall (WWII), Jacob Little Sr. (Korea), Ronald Hartle (Vietnam), Michael Knowlton (Panama, Desert Storm), Mathew Billings (Bosnia), John Holt (Somalia/Haiti), Roland Roderick (Afghanistan), John Holt (Iraq), Gerald Barker (POW/MIA), Nicole Shippee (Womens Veterans Memorial), Jason Carvel (American Legion Post 65), Deanna Cline (American Legion Ladies Auxiliary), John Holt (Gouverneur VFW Post 6338), Jeff Platt (Gouverneur VFW Auxiliary), Ruth Mead (Gold Star Mothers), Lynda Andrews (Daughters of the American Revolution), Mark Jenkins (Sons of the American Legion).
James Maloy American Legion Post 65 Commander Jason Carvel then gave the last roll call, listing the deceased American Legion and VFW members. They are as follows:
American Legion Post 65 Members: Gerald Elliott, Jerry Cornell, James Abrantes, Edward Cousino, and Gary Mott.
VFW Post Members: James Williamson, Gregory Dritschel, Richard McCarthy, Richard McCormick, Robert Thornton, Gordon Mandigo, Donald McIntosh, Erwin Hamilton.
American Legion Auxiliary Member Kathy Davis.
VFW Auxiliary Members: Helen Balance, Leona Kelsey, Alma Rumble, Marilyn Bresett, Loueen Brasie, Zelphia McIntosh, Desiree Bales, Kristie Smith, Joseph Wing, Linda Gardner, Agnes Marchione, Linda LaBlanc, Gloria Scott Johnson, Martina Facey, Annette Meade, Alice Patton, Viola Fukes, Alyce Sullivan.
American Legion Sons Members: Darrell Isereau and Joe Hunter.
Taps and Echo were performed by Gouverneur Central students Jack Schroeder and Liberty Bush.
“God Bless The USA” by Lee Greenwood was broadcasted over the loudspeakers. When the song cut short due to technological issues, the crowd took the opportunity to finish it in proud, patriotic style.
The benediction was then given by VFW Auxiliary Chaplain Ruth Mead.
As the ceremony came to a close, much gratitude was extended to all those who took part and/or contributed any type of service for the Memorial Day remembrance. Special appreciation was extended to the Village of Gouverneur for their assistance in setting up the ceremony. Also to the members of the color guard and all the participants in the parade and ceremony.
All those in attendance were then invited to partake in the free luncheon at the American Legion Post No. 65 following the ceremony.