By Jason Emerson
editor
On April 30, dozens of local World War II veterans flew to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial as part of the annual Honor Flight Syracuse program. Unfortunately, many veterans from the greater Cazenovia area have passed away without getting to see their memorial in the nation’s capital.
So a subgroup of Honor Flight, called “Flags of Our Heroes,” created a way to honor their fallen comrades and bring them to the memorial — in photographs.
“It is our desire to show the respect so richly deserved to our deceased veterans and their families. We want to provide these families with the opportunity to know that their family member was shown the highest regard and respect at the World War II Memorial,” said Thomas Shaw, director of Flags of Our Heroes. “This is a way for families of deceased WWII veterans to establish or complete a connection with the World War II Memorial.”
Through Flags of Our Heroes, photographs of 43 deceased WWII veterans were brought to the WWII Memorial during the April Honor Flight trip, set up on an easel with a folded American flag, and photographed by Cazenovia photographer and Post 88 Vice Commander Gene Gissin. Of those 43 veterans, approximately half are from the Cazenovia-Nelson-Fenner area. Honored veterans are also from Chittenango, Canastota, Hamilton, Tully, Skaneateles, Syracuse, East Syracuse, Liverpool and Central Square.
Those photographs, along with a certificate of honor, will be presented to the families of the deceased veterans in a special ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Cazenovia American Legion Post 88.
During the event, which is sponsored by Post 88, Syracuse Honor Flight and Flags of Our Heroes officials will welcome the veterans’ family members. Each veteran photograph will be shown on an overhead screen for all to see, accompanied by the ringing of the bell in their honor — as is down for fallen veterans on Memorial Day in Cazenovia — and taps will be played at the conclusion.
There is no charge for the event, and the families and friends of all the honored veterans are invited and encouraged to attend. An RSVP is not required but is encouraged. To RSVP or for more information, contact Gene Gissin at 655-2224 or [email protected], or Richard Benner at 350-4324 or [email protected].
Honor Flight Syracuse is an organization dedicated to honor America’s veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit the national memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifice at no cost to them. The next Honor Flight is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2016.
Anyone interested in honoring a deceased veteran from their family through the Flags of Our Heroes program, contact Honor Flight Syracuse at HonorFlightSyracuse.org or contact Thomas Shaw at [email protected] or 445-9894 or Gene Gissin.
