THROOP - Veterans and some local and federal officials kicked off Memorial Day weekend by honoring a war hero.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri presents a Medal of Honor flag to John Stryker, right, in front of a memorial for Stryker's late brother, Robert, at Pine Hill Cemetery in Throop Friday afternoon. Robert Stryker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to save at least six others during the Vietnam War.
U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri presents a Medal of Honor flag to John Stryker, right, in front of a memorial for Stryker's late brother, Robert, at Pine Hill Cemetery in Throop Friday afternoon. Robert Stryker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for sacrificing his life to save at least six others during the Vietnam War.
U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri presented a Medal of Honor flag Friday to the family of Robert F. Stryker. The flag ceremony took place at Pine Hill Cemetery, which houses a memorial dedicated to the Throop native and Medal of Honor recipient.
Officers and members of local veterans organizations attended the event, some in formal wear and others in camouflage field gear. Stryker's brother, John, accepted the flag.
“It's a good, warm feeling,” John Stryker said after receiving the flag. “Any recognition that is given to anyone who earned the Medal of Honor is good. I am very grateful.”
Robert Stryker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the military's highest award, for his gallant acts during the Vietnam War. On Nov. 7, 1967, Stryker and members of the 26th Infantry's First Battalion met heavy enemy fire. During the battle, the 23-year-old specialist threw himself on a land mine, absorbing a blast that would have killed at least six soldiers. Stryker died from his wounds.
Arcuri said it was fitting that the flag was presented near Memorial Day.
“(Stryker) represents everything that is great about this county,” Arcuri said. “He was born during a time of war, and he gladly gave his life to protect his friends.”
The Medal of Honor flag is awarded to every person or the family of every person who receives the award. It is a light blue flag with gold fringe and 13 stars. The stars on the flag are placed in the same pattern as the stars on the medal itself.
The first flag was presented in 2005.
According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, there have been 3,447 recipients in the history of the award.
Wreatha O'Hara, who went to grade school with Stryker and whose husband, Bill, is active in the AmVets Post 513 of Montezuma, began writing congressman Arcuri after hearing about the flag's existence. If other Medal of Honor recipients are honored with a flag, Stryker should be, too, she said.
“He deserves it,” O'Hara said. “It goes with the Medal of Honor, and I feel he should have it.”
Stryker's memorial, sponsored by Post 513 and Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans Chapter 704, was dedicated in May 2004. It consists of a black granite monument with his likeness in full uniform etched into one side. The opposite side of the monument has a description of how Stryker earned the medal and a picture of the Army's Interim Armored Vehicle, or the “Stryker” vehicle.
The “Stryker” vehicle is named after both Robert Stryker and a Medal of Honor winner from World War II who was also named Stryker.
On the Sunday before every Memorial Day, Post 513 holds a memorial service at the monument. A wreath is placed every year at Stryker's headstone during the ceremony, which starts at 2 p.m.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
Officers and members of local veterans organizations attended the event, some in formal wear and others in camouflage field gear. Stryker's brother, John, accepted the flag.
“It's a good, warm feeling,” John Stryker said after receiving the flag. “Any recognition that is given to anyone who earned the Medal of Honor is good. I am very grateful.”
Robert Stryker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the military's highest award, for his gallant acts during the Vietnam War. On Nov. 7, 1967, Stryker and members of the 26th Infantry's First Battalion met heavy enemy fire. During the battle, the 23-year-old specialist threw himself on a land mine, absorbing a blast that would have killed at least six soldiers. Stryker died from his wounds.
Arcuri said it was fitting that the flag was presented near Memorial Day.
“(Stryker) represents everything that is great about this county,” Arcuri said. “He was born during a time of war, and he gladly gave his life to protect his friends.”
The Medal of Honor flag is awarded to every person or the family of every person who receives the award. It is a light blue flag with gold fringe and 13 stars. The stars on the flag are placed in the same pattern as the stars on the medal itself.
The first flag was presented in 2005.
According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, there have been 3,447 recipients in the history of the award.
Wreatha O'Hara, who went to grade school with Stryker and whose husband, Bill, is active in the AmVets Post 513 of Montezuma, began writing congressman Arcuri after hearing about the flag's existence. If other Medal of Honor recipients are honored with a flag, Stryker should be, too, she said.
“He deserves it,” O'Hara said. “It goes with the Medal of Honor, and I feel he should have it.”
Stryker's memorial, sponsored by Post 513 and Cayuga County Vietnam Veterans Chapter 704, was dedicated in May 2004. It consists of a black granite monument with his likeness in full uniform etched into one side. The opposite side of the monument has a description of how Stryker earned the medal and a picture of the Army's Interim Armored Vehicle, or the “Stryker” vehicle.
The “Stryker” vehicle is named after both Robert Stryker and a Medal of Honor winner from World War II who was also named Stryker.
On the Sunday before every Memorial Day, Post 513 holds a memorial service at the monument. A wreath is placed every year at Stryker's headstone during the ceremony, which starts at 2 p.m.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net
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