SMETHPORT — Saturday afternoon’s weather in Smethport — a brief light drizzle before the Ride of Pride ceremony began in Hamlin Lake Park followed by clearing — was reminiscent of the weather in June 2006 when it rained many of the days that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall was displayed in the park but cleared up in time for the daily activities.
In his opening remarks, Gerry Ford provided a brief history of the McKean County Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which stands at the apex of the Memorial Moving Wall 12 years ago.
“On May 31, 2006, the Ride of Pride escorted the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to this location,” said Gerry Ford, treasurer of the Sons of the American Legion Post #138. “Since then, The Sons of the American Legion Post #138 have continued the Ride of Pride/Vietnam Veteran Honor Ride to show their respect for our veterans.”
In 2013, the McKean American Legion Riders from Post 976 in Crosby and Post 138 combined efforts to erect a memorial to honor our McKean County Vietnam veterans who gave all. Every VFW and American Legion in the county was contacted, and it was with their funding that made project a success. Ford said, “After more than a year from the start of this project, the memorial marker was unveiled on May 31, 2010.”
The addition of the blacktop walkway at the memorial in 2017 was possible due to a grant that McKean County Veteran Affairs Director Zach Pearson received.
Vietnam veteran Seth Digel of Post #138 offered the invocation.
Post #138 Commander Pat Miesowitz, president of the day, announced the changing of the flags at the memorial in a ceremony where Cub Scouts and two of their leaders from Smethport Pack 501 assisted veterans in lowering the POW/MIA, American and Vietnam Veterans of America flags and raising new ones.
From Pack 501 were Stephanie Eaton, Webelos Den leader, Pete Anderson, Wolf leader and scouts, Cooper and Parker Anderson and Ethan Eaton.
In his remarks, Miesowitz referred to a few of the remarkable men and women who are among the more than one million Americans who have given their lives in all the wars since the American Revolution.
“A century ago, when America was engaged in World War I, it was a brash aviator, Frank Luke, a 21-year old from Arizona, who downed 18 aerial victories over German pilots in just 18 days before he was killed. He was the first Medal of Honor recipient.”
Fast forward to another continent with yet another determined group of young American heroes. “Sharon Lane was committed to caring for these heroes and entered the Army Nurse Corps in 1968.
According to Miesowitz. “As a volunteer — women were exempted from the draft — Lane was where she wanted to be and that was with wounded soldiers when a 122 millimeter rocket blasted through her hospital ward, killing her and a 12-year-old Vietnamese girl.”
Miesowitz concluded, saying, “The heroes we remember today are not exclusive to any gender, race or religion. They are a diverse group wedded to the common principle that American is a nation worth dying for.”
Brenda Keesler of Smethport donated the wreath that she, her husband, Dave and his cousin, Paul Conn, placed at the memorial marker.
As Digel read the names of the 19 men whose names are listed on the memorial marker, Pat Freer of the Sons of the American Legion presented red roses and white carnations to family members or veterans who placed them at the marker. Listed on the marker are Floyd Studer, Michael Cuneen, Ronald Herbstritt, James Ralston, Terrence Dixon, James Worrell, James Oxley, Daniel Capello, Christian Feit III, Charles Gregory, Lawrence Grassi, Bruce Cobb, Quentin Slocum Jr., Archie Culver, Robert D. Morris, Stephen Keesler, Albert Bachman Jr., Francis Klaiber and Frank Pascarella.
Audience members were then given the opportunity to also place flowers at the site.
Army veteran “Bud” Abbey was in charge of the memorial firing squad and also was bugler for playing “Taps.”
