THROOP - Memorial Day is a time specifically set aside to remember those U.S. military members who gave their life serving this country.
On Sunday, a special ceremony will be held in memory of Robert F. Stryker, a Cayuga County native killed in the Vietnam War.
Stryker, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism, only had a military stone at his gravesite at Pine Hill Cemetery in Throop up until last year.
Stryker was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with the 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in November 1967 in Vietnam.
Stryker, 23, threw himself on a Claymore mine, absorbing a blast that would have killed six fellow soldiers.
The Medal of Honor, created during the Civil War, is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the U.S. government. Since 1861, there have been 3,459 recipients, 243 from the Vietnam War. Stryker is the only native-born medal of honor winner in Cayuga County.
The Robert F. Stryker committee dedicated a monument and gravestone last year and have now completed the process of developing Stryker's gravesite.
Two flagpoles have been added to the site, donated through Exxon-Mobil and the people of Cayuga County.
"This is sort of the final tribute to a medal winner from this county who really deserves the recognition," said Adelbert Jenner, chairman of the Robert F. Stryker committee.
The flagpoles are the finishing touch on recognizing one of our nation's heroes, Jenner said.
The poles are equipped with electric lights so flags flown there can be illuminated during the night.
The dedication ceremony is open to the public and will include a firing squad, a few guest speakers and a reception afterward at the VFW Post 513 in Montezuma.
The two flagpoles would never have happened if it weren't for the local support, Jenner said.
"(Stryker's) not going to be a forgotten hero any more thanks to the good people of Cayuga County," Jenner said. "They came through to support a veteran, and this is something the citizens can be proud of."
The U.S. Army's Stryker vehicle, was named in honor of Robert Stryker, as well as for an earlier Medal of Honor winner, Pfc. Stuart Stryker, who died March 24, 1945.
Stuart Stryker's unit ended up capturing 200 Nazi soldiers and freeing three American pilots.
The Stryker vehicle is described by the army as "a highly deployable wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility."
Stryker, who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroism, only had a military stone at his gravesite at Pine Hill Cemetery in Throop up until last year.
Stryker was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions while serving with the 26th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division in November 1967 in Vietnam.
Stryker, 23, threw himself on a Claymore mine, absorbing a blast that would have killed six fellow soldiers.
The Medal of Honor, created during the Civil War, is the oldest and highest decoration awarded by the U.S. government. Since 1861, there have been 3,459 recipients, 243 from the Vietnam War. Stryker is the only native-born medal of honor winner in Cayuga County.
The Robert F. Stryker committee dedicated a monument and gravestone last year and have now completed the process of developing Stryker's gravesite.
Two flagpoles have been added to the site, donated through Exxon-Mobil and the people of Cayuga County.
"This is sort of the final tribute to a medal winner from this county who really deserves the recognition," said Adelbert Jenner, chairman of the Robert F. Stryker committee.
The flagpoles are the finishing touch on recognizing one of our nation's heroes, Jenner said.
The poles are equipped with electric lights so flags flown there can be illuminated during the night.
The dedication ceremony is open to the public and will include a firing squad, a few guest speakers and a reception afterward at the VFW Post 513 in Montezuma.
The two flagpoles would never have happened if it weren't for the local support, Jenner said.
"(Stryker's) not going to be a forgotten hero any more thanks to the good people of Cayuga County," Jenner said. "They came through to support a veteran, and this is something the citizens can be proud of."
The U.S. Army's Stryker vehicle, was named in honor of Robert Stryker, as well as for an earlier Medal of Honor winner, Pfc. Stuart Stryker, who died March 24, 1945.
Stuart Stryker's unit ended up capturing 200 Nazi soldiers and freeing three American pilots.
The Stryker vehicle is described by the army as "a highly deployable wheeled armored vehicle that combines firepower, battlefield mobility, survivability and versatility."
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.