POUGHKEEPSIE – A solemn ceremony at Soldiers Fountain in Poughkeepsie drew a couple of dozen people to honor the men and women that perished in defense of the United States.
The fountain, capped by the Goddess Demeter, served as the backdrop for a brief ceremony that featured moving poems from former service members under the supervision of Post 37 Commander Nathan “Nate the Great” Grant, a well-known and liked military veteran.
Poughkeepsie City Administrator Marc Nelson stood in for Mayor Rob Rolison, who was at a family wedding. Rolison, through Nelson, reminded everyone to never forget the sacrifices made by those that we honor on Memorial Day. Nelson noted that the freedoms we enjoy are a direct result of the fallen warriors’ sacrifice as well as the sacrifices made by their families. “We owe it to their memory to be better every day,” he said.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro spoke briefly to the gathered crowd that included members of the VFW Post 170, friends, family, and several elected officials including Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson and Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan. Molinaro told of the unseen scars that his grandfathers came home with after WW II and called on everyone to give thanks and pause to honor the service members that died in battle.
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, a West Point graduate who was a second lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Division and was deployed to the Middle East, noted the unity that Memorial Day brings. “We need every American to take a moment from the barbeques and celebrations, which we have to do, and continue to spread the unity that this weekend brings.”
A moment of pause was also given to remember the service members classified as POW/MIA that have yet to return home.
With Soldiers Fountain before him and a Civil War cannon next to him, Commander Grant sounded Taps to end the solemn remembrance.
To learn more about Soldiers Fountain, click here.
