Paying tribute to the fallen
It was on Feb. 5 that Captain Andrew F. Caswell passed away due to post traumatic stress disorder related causes.
On July 27, his family including his aunt Suellen Sager, his mother Luanne Caswell and his wife, Captain Tamara Johnson-Caswell gathered at Marcellus Park for a special tribute to Caswell.
Warren Williamson and numerous other motorcycle riders and supporters rode into town as part of the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers Memorial Torch Motorcycle Ride, carrying with them an eternal flame, which they ultimately escorted on to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C., arriving on Aug. 4.
“We started this 10 years ago in Oregon,” Williamson said. “We wanted to do something to visit families and honor these memories.”
The ride began in Eugene, Oregon on July 14.
In total, Williamson said he and other riders had traveled more than 4,000 miles by the time the ride concluded in Washington.
Along the way, the number of riders fluctuated, but their mission remained the same.
“Some people can’t make the whole ride, Williamson said. “Some will go for a day or two and head back. Some go the whole way. Some people will join us as they pass through their town. Everyone is welcome. I think it means a lot to the families we visit to see people show their support for their fallen family member.”
Each year since Williamson began the ride, the number of families visited and those honored has increased.
This year 65, including Caswell were remembered through this event.
“WE started with 63 but then it went up to 65,” Williamson said. “This is the most we have ever met with in one year. By the time the ride ends this year we will have honored 860 fallen service members.”
Through this ride, Williamson said he hopes to not only bring attention to service members who have lost their lives, but also to ensure their memories live on.
“When we get to D.C. we lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,” Williamson said. “This is a way to keep these heroes and their memories with us and remind people of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
As the procession made its way into Marcellus, members of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office were giving an escort as well as numerous motorcyclists who joined the ride for this particular stop.
“It was very meaningful to all of us,” Sager said. “This procession, all of these people and they were paying the same kind of respect to the eternal flame as they would a body. It was very special, very meaningful to us.”
Caswell’s family was presented with a memorial tribute and those gathered sang “Amazing Grace.”
“It was great,” Sager said. “When they sang, ‘Amazing Grace’ always gets everyone crying. It was a really beautiful tribute to Andrew.”
Sager said the family was given the opportunity to share an item to go on to D.C. that represented Caswell.
The family chose a small violin.
Sager said this reflected Caswell’s humor and determination as he would often pretend to play the world’s smallest violin when he hears people complain.
“He’d play the world’s smallest violin and then it was time to get back to work,” Sager said.
Sager said she and her family have also been impressed by the way the military has honored Caswell.
“He was struggling with PTSD,” Sager said. “He served in a time of war and it was service related. His family is a Gold Star Family and it has been amazing to see the way the military has treated his family.”
According to Sager, Caswell struggled with PTSD and she encourages others to do all they can to support anyone they may know going through the same thing.
“Let them know you are there,” Sager said. “Always let them know you are there for them.”
Caswell’s wife is currently stationed at Fort Drum and the couple had been married five months when Caswell passed.
During his time in the military, Johnson –Caswell said her husband had been stationed across the country including stints in Colorado and Fort Hood in Texas as well as Fort Drum.
Caswell served in places like Iraq and Afghanistan working as a medic.
Caswell-Johnson said her husband joined the service because he wanted to work in the medical field and saw the military as a great opportunity.
“He loved taking care of soldiers,” she said.
He went on to earn degree a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Nebraska his wife said and became a physicians assistant and a commissioned officer.
Johnson-Caswell said she was moved by the recognition of her husband.
“It is so important to keep these memories alive,” she said. “That is what they are doing. All of these volunteers and all of these riders and the work Warren is doing. It is making sure we never forget.”
