LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - NOVEMBER 3, 2019 by Lynne Belluscio Plan to join us and the American Legion on Veterans’ Day, Monday, November 11 at 11 o’clock on Trigon Park to honor all our military veterans and to dedicate the VietnamWar memorial bench. Two names are engraved in the black gran- ite – Harry VanAlst Jr. and Gary Scott. Ordinarily, memorial monuments are dedicated on Memorial Day in May but the Korean War bench was dedicat- ed in May and then funds were solicited for the matching Viet- nam bench. People were very generous and quickly the money was raised so that the Vietnam memorial was in place in June, in time for Gary Scott’s family and friends to see it when they were in town. Now it is time for the dedication. And it is finally time for a parade. There were no pa- rades for veterans returning from Vietnam. `Anyone who would like to join with us, we will meet in the parking lot off Trigon Park, near the entrance to the Wolcott Street School. Then we will march around the corner to Trigon Park and over to the Civil War monument. The Army recruiting office in Henri- etta is sending a color guard. (Both Gary Scott and “Flip” Van Alst were in the Army.) The LeRoy Police Department has a color guard. LeRoy Ro- tary Club will be carrying their flag and an American flag. The Historical Society will be carry- ing their flag and an American flag. Scouts, the fire depart- ments, churches are all invited to join us. (In the event of terri- ble weather, the event will take place in the school auditorium.) The Historical Society will have free hot coffee and cocoa under a tent on Trigon Park. The benches in LeRoy, were quarried from the same black granite from India, that was used for the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. The black granite was chosen due to its reflective nature, so that as you look at the memorial, you will see your reflection amongst the names. There are over 58,000 names on the Wall, arranged according to the date of death, not according to rank, as is of- ten done with other monuments. Names are added to the wall each year. Just as the Vietnam War divided the country, the Vietnam Memorial also was criticized, but as people have gathered to read the names and remember those who have fall- en, it has been said that it has be- come “a community of feelings, almost a sacred precinct”. One veteran declared that the Wall is “the parade we never got.” The Wall has drawn together both those who fought and those who marched against the war and it has helped the nation heal, de- cades after the divisive event ended. The American Legion National Commander, Jack W. Flynt, said at the groundbreak- ing of the Washington memori- al: “The suffering and the lone- liness the veterans bore when they returned home are finally at an end.” Program Greeting – Commander John J. Graney American Legion Botts- Fiorito Post #576 Prayer – American Legion Post Chaplin National Anthem – Hailey Grasso Last Roll Call – Lynne Belluscio, Town and Village Historian Gary Scott - Was born on July 11, 1945. He lived with his family on South Street in LeRoy and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1963. He was awarded the John Aramino award for his leadership, scholarship and character. He then attend- ed Syracuse University and graduated at the top of his ROTC class. He chose to serve in the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles” and died in an ambush, sav- ing the lives of men in his unit in Thua Thien on March 29, 1968. He was twenty-two years old. His family re- ceived his Silver Star post- humously. Gary is buried in Rochester at Riverside Cem- etery. Since Gary was living in Rochester at the time of his enlistment, he is listed as being from Rochester, and his name appears in Rochester in the Vietnam Memorial which was dedicated in 1995. Harry VanAlst Jr - Was born July 20, 1947 and lived with his family a few houses away from the Scott family on South Street. He graduat- ed from LeRoy High School in 1965. “Flip” was known for his love of racing cars, and was employed by Lapp Insulator before he enlisted in the Army. He was assigned to the 11th Infantry 5th Di- vision, known as the Red Di- amond Division and served as a cook. He was home on leave when his unit was called up to go to Vietnam. Since he was soon to be discharged, he was told that he could chose to remain stateside, but he wanted to be with his unit. Less than two months after arriving in Vietnam, he was killed by enemy mortar fire on September 11, 1968. He was twenty-one years old and was the 10th Vietnam casual- ty from Genesee County. He is buried in Machpelah Cem- etery in LeRoy. “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” Dedication of the Vietnam War Monument Laying of the Wreaths Soldier’s Monument World War I World War II Korean War Vietnam War Military Salute – American Legion Honor Guard Taps After the program, every- one is invited to the American Legion on West Main Street, for a light buffet lunch, in celebra- tion of the 100th anniversary of the American Legion. Back Home – Finally