Honoring the fallen
By SAVANNAH BARR
s.barr@bradfordera.com
It was sunny skies as locals gathered together to remember our fallen heroes. Locals came out in droves on Monday as the Memorial Day parade made its way down Main Street.
Local veteran organizations held a ceremony following the parade at Veterans Square, which was also very well attended. The weather was a welcomed relief to those who remembered how the rain cancelled last year’s festivities.
The event brought together residents of all ages to honor the sacrifices of military service members. The procession was led by the Bradford City Fire Department and fire trucks, with police escort. Mayor Tom Riel followed. He was accompanied by members of veterans’ organizations such as VFW Post 212 and American Legion Post 108.
Other emergency personnel were represented, including the Bradford Township Volunteer Fire Department and Derrick City Volunteer Fire Department.
The Bradford Marching Owls gave a stirring performance as they marched down Main Street. The Fretz Middle School Band, local Girl and Boy scout and other community groups created a vibrant atmosphere during the parade.
Parade Grand Marshal was Tom Neilly, US Army. Neilly, 94, is a hometown boy. He joined the Army shortly after turning 18 and served during the Korean War where he was stationed in Germany.
Also making appearances were Bradford’s own Mallory Craig, Miss McKean County Fair and Miss Poppy Maelynn Austin.
Following the parade, the energy changed to a more solemn and respectful tone as people gathered together for a special ceremony held at Veterans Square. The ceremony was conducted by members of VFW Post 212, Frances Sherman VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Post 108.
The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Dennis Faucher. A dentist in the Bradford area since 1995, he and his wife Debra have enjoyed living the last 22 years in the Willow Creek Area.
Faucher holds awards that include a Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served in the United States Army as a Warrant Officer. During his service in the jungles of Vietnam, Faucher flew over 1,000 hours as a helicopter pilot and aircraft commander with the 129th Assault Helicopter Company. He said his first 40 hours in Vietnam were a hugely humbling time.
“I went from thinking I was God’s gift to Army aviation to realizing I was mainly there to learn,” said Faucher. “But I was going to learn from pilots who were willing to teach me the skills I would need to survive so that I could one day pass it on.”
From September 1971 to August 1972, his plane was shot down five different times. Three of those forced landings took place during the Eastern Offensive of 1972.
“I’m telling you this story not so much to tell my own story but to speak for the men who died and can’t be here to share what they experienced,” said Faucher.
After Faucher came home, it was years before he got involved in any type of veterans’ organizations. But he has since come to understand how veterans can support each other in unique ways.
He himself struggled with a feeling of survivor’s guilt. He sometimes wonders why he was saved when so many others lost their lives.
“None of the men that are killed in combat are killed because they’re not good soldiers,” said Faucher. “There is such an element of luck there that you are frequently left wondering why it wasn’t you that died.”
He began to realize that many other veterans were grappling with the same questions.
“There’s no real satisfying answer,” said Faucher. “It just wasn’t our time and that is the way that it is.”
That is one of the reasons he finds ceremonies honoring the fallen to be so poignant — he sees them as a responsibility of those who are left alive.
“We have been fortunate enough to make it out and now we have to remember their sacrifice,” said Faucher. “I’m pleased to see so many people have come out to do that today.”
Next, the Bradford Marching Owls performed a patriotic medley while flowers were laid at crosses representing fallen veterans in each branch of the military. Following, there was a rifle salute from the American Legion Post #108 Honor Guard.
The crowd then moved to the Pine Street Bridge where another memorial service was held. A Lost at Sea Prayer was offered by Jerry Kohler. He and Miss Poppy Maelynn Austin then dropped a wreath over the bridge.
Kohler has been participating in Memorial Day ceremonies since 1999.
“You have to do your best to remember all of the guys who didn’t come back,” said Kohler. “We are veterans honoring veterans and it makes me very proud to be a part of this.”
