WEEDSPORT - High school students got a lesson Monday from those who were on the frontlines, making history.
Cleen Hoselton / Special to The Citizen
More than 100 people came out for a watch fire in Weedsport on Monday.
More than 100 people came out for a watch fire in Weedsport on Monday.
Theresa Leonardi's senior government class joined with two veteran agencies to organize a memorial service and a watch fire ceremony for Memorial Day.
Members of the Clark-Heck American Legion Post and Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans of America spoke during the ceremony about the importance of the armed services and honored those heroes serving now, as well as in years past.
More than 100 spent the last part of their Memorial Day gathered in the Weedsport High School parking lot, listening to tributes and watching a large bonfire.
The event concluded with the burning of American flags that were worn, ripped, or touched the ground - the proper way to dispose of the nation's more visible symbol, Vietnam veteran Glynn English said.
A watch fire first began as a method of showing soldiers the way home, Leonardi said. Now, it's a way to recognize missing service members and prisoners of war, she said.
Seniors in the government class carried boxes of worn banners to the 20-foot tall pyre consisting of pallets and bits of wood. The school collected the flags from the community in preparation for the ceremony, English said.
“We're trying to instill in the kids the true sense of what this day means,” Leonardi said.
They've hosted a watch fire ceremony for 10 years.
Patriotic songs broke up speeches throughout the event. Students, former students and a teacher performed the musical tributes.
“This is to honor all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice,” English said.
He would love to see more area schools perform similar ceremonies to show the students freedom isn't free.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext 267 or
jessica.soule@lee.net
Members of the Clark-Heck American Legion Post and Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans of America spoke during the ceremony about the importance of the armed services and honored those heroes serving now, as well as in years past.
More than 100 spent the last part of their Memorial Day gathered in the Weedsport High School parking lot, listening to tributes and watching a large bonfire.
The event concluded with the burning of American flags that were worn, ripped, or touched the ground - the proper way to dispose of the nation's more visible symbol, Vietnam veteran Glynn English said.
A watch fire first began as a method of showing soldiers the way home, Leonardi said. Now, it's a way to recognize missing service members and prisoners of war, she said.
Seniors in the government class carried boxes of worn banners to the 20-foot tall pyre consisting of pallets and bits of wood. The school collected the flags from the community in preparation for the ceremony, English said.
“We're trying to instill in the kids the true sense of what this day means,” Leonardi said.
They've hosted a watch fire ceremony for 10 years.
Patriotic songs broke up speeches throughout the event. Students, former students and a teacher performed the musical tributes.
“This is to honor all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice,” English said.
He would love to see more area schools perform similar ceremonies to show the students freedom isn't free.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext 267 or
jessica.soule@lee.net
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Bueleh Cavanagh wrote on May 29, 2007 5:47 PM: