Sheldon's speech a silver-lining on rainy Memorial Day
Frank Speziale Photo
NORWICH – A number of Chenango County citizens made the most of a rainy Memorial Day yesterday, May 29, in spite of inclement weather that prevented some of the customary holiday traditions.
In lieu of the parade which was forwent due to heavy rain, the silver-lining of yesterday's events was when would-be parade-goers congregated in Norwich Fire Department to hear the words of guest speaker and retired Army Sergeant Major John Sheldon.
Sheldon offered attendees a reminder of why we celebrate Memorial Day in the first place.
"As generations pass, the meaning of this day sometimes becomes distant or vague," said Sheldon. "Over the years, Memorial Day has become lost to commercialism or just drowned in forgetful indulgence."
He went on to posit that in too many cases, people view Memorial Day as just an opportunity to have a day off from work, or to cash-in on certain sales being offered at local stores.
"[No one mentions] that Memorial Day is a day for us to honor all the brave men and women who have sacrificed their life preserving the freedom we all love so dearly," said Sheldon. "[No one mentions] that Memorial Day is a day when all Americans – regardless of ideologies, race, creed, or political persuasion – join together to remember all the sacrifices of those who have answered our nation's call."
Sheldon – who is currently Manager at the Curtis Lumber Co. Store in Norwich – served over 21 years of active duty military service. He went on to specifically commend three Norwich-area heroes who have paid the ultimate price for our country: PFC Earl Peter Beeching, PFC Richard W. Frink, and SSG Howard Earl Burdick.
Sheldon relayed the stories of the three young men to attendees: He spoke of how Beeching, at just 18-years-old, was killed in action in Vietnam; He spoke of how Frink spent a mere 16 days in Vietnam before he, too, was killed in action at age-19; And he spoke of how Howard was killed in Vietnam at age-23 after spending a mere three weeks deployed.
"These three young, brave warriors gave their lives for this great country," said Sheldon. "These three young, brave warriors gave their lives to help preserve the freedom that you see. Freedom is something that we should never take for granted. I can assure you that freedom is not free – it's a luxury that comes with a steep price."
Sheldon said that since World War I, 170 local-military members have been killed in action defending our freedoms.
"We must honor these heroes as a nation, by keeping sacred trust towards all those who wear America's uniform, and the families who love them," said Sheldon.
Sheldon went on to say that supporting our military is a bi-partisan responsibility – one that should not waver regardless of political allegiance.
"The heroes who rest in our cemeteries – they do not care about our daily politics," said Sheldon.
In closing, Sheldon thanked attendees for showing their support to the nation's fallen heroes. He invited those who are observing Memorial Day via barbecues and picnics to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make this freedom possible.
"And please pray for our military members deployed around the world," said Sheldon. "Don't be asleep at the wheel, the world is changing daily. Keep your rifle clean, and your powder dry."
NORWICH – A number of Chenango County citizens made the most of a rainy Memorial Day yesterday, May 29, in spite of inclement weather that prevented some of the customary holiday traditions.
In lieu of the parade which was forwent due to heavy rain, the silver-lining of yesterday's events was when would-be parade-goers congregated in Norwich Fire Department to hear the words of guest speaker and retired Army Sergeant Major John Sheldon.
Sheldon offered attendees a reminder of why we celebrate Memorial Day in the first place.
"As generations pass, the meaning of this day sometimes becomes distant or vague," said Sheldon. "Over the years, Memorial Day has become lost to commercialism or just drowned in forgetful indulgence."
He went on to posit that in too many cases, people view Memorial Day as just an opportunity to have a day off from work, or to cash-in on certain sales being offered at local stores.
"[No one mentions] that Memorial Day is a day for us to honor all the brave men and women who have sacrificed their life preserving the freedom we all love so dearly," said Sheldon. "[No one mentions] that Memorial Day is a day when all Americans – regardless of ideologies, race, creed, or political persuasion – join together to remember all the sacrifices of those who have answered our nation's call."
Sheldon – who is currently Manager at the Curtis Lumber Co. Store in Norwich – served over 21 years of active duty military service. He went on to specifically commend three Norwich-area heroes who have paid the ultimate price for our country: PFC Earl Peter Beeching, PFC Richard W. Frink, and SSG Howard Earl Burdick.
Sheldon relayed the stories of the three young men to attendees: He spoke of how Beeching, at just 18-years-old, was killed in action in Vietnam; He spoke of how Frink spent a mere 16 days in Vietnam before he, too, was killed in action at age-19; And he spoke of how Howard was killed in Vietnam at age-23 after spending a mere three weeks deployed.
"These three young, brave warriors gave their lives for this great country," said Sheldon. "These three young, brave warriors gave their lives to help preserve the freedom that you see. Freedom is something that we should never take for granted. I can assure you that freedom is not free – it's a luxury that comes with a steep price."
Sheldon said that since World War I, 170 local-military members have been killed in action defending our freedoms.
"We must honor these heroes as a nation, by keeping sacred trust towards all those who wear America's uniform, and the families who love them," said Sheldon.
Sheldon went on to say that supporting our military is a bi-partisan responsibility – one that should not waver regardless of political allegiance.
"The heroes who rest in our cemeteries – they do not care about our daily politics," said Sheldon.
In closing, Sheldon thanked attendees for showing their support to the nation's fallen heroes. He invited those who are observing Memorial Day via barbecues and picnics to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make this freedom possible.
"And please pray for our military members deployed around the world," said Sheldon. "Don't be asleep at the wheel, the world is changing daily. Keep your rifle clean, and your powder dry."
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