MID-HUDSON – The monthly flag-changing service on the Walkway Over the Hudson included a Memorial Day service on Sunday evening. The service included a colorguard and brief speeches from elected officials including Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18), State Senator Rob Rolison, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, and Ulster County Veterans Service Agency Director Mark Cozzupoli.
Metzger noted that Memorial Day weekend is one to recall the lives lost in battle, including the more than 1,300 Ulster County residents who perished during the Civil War. More than 625,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice during that one war. The second-highest loss of American lives in battle occurred during World War II, with 405,399 dying to protect the freedoms experienced today.
Congressman Ryan told of the need to never forget the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes while Cozzupoli recalled the time he was deployed in 2011 and a Chinook helicopter was shot down, killing all 38 passengers. He spoke of the emotional impact of standing on the flight line with thousands of fellow military members as the flag-draped caskets containing 31 Americans were flown into the air base in preparation for return to the United States.
The flag taken down by members of the Americal Legion Pleasant Valley-Millbrook Post 739, assisted by Americal Legion Lafayette Post 37 Commander Nathan Grant, was folded and presented to Suzanne Schubert. Schubert’s late father Alf, had served in the United States Army.
The new flag was unfolded, presented, and hoisted in honor of the late US Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Joseph DeWolf.
