By Holly Toal<br><a href="mailto:holly.toal@journal-register.com">E-mail Holly</a>
ALBION — Veterans in full uniform gathered at the American Legion Sheret Post 35 in Albion on Monday night for the fourth annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Service.
“We got the whole community involved,” said Orleans County American Legion Commander Lawrence Montello. Representatives were there from the Medina, Holley, Lydonville and Albion posts.
The purpose of the ceremony was to “remember all the military servicemen and women who died in Pearl Harbor for our freedom,” he said. Montello explained that a few members from the Orleans County posts were at Pearl Harbor during the infamous attack.
One table, in particular, stood out at the ceremony.
The POW/MIA table was set with a white tablecloth, to symbolize purity; a candle with a yellow ribbon tied around it, to represent a lone prisoner; a red rose in a vase, to represent faith in comrades; a salt shaker, to represent a family’s tears; and a small plate with a slice of lemon, to remind people of a soldier’s bitter fate if he is not brought home.
The setting symbolized members of the Armed Forces who are missing from the ranks.
“While we enjoy our daily pleasures, we pause to recognize the POWs and MIAs,” Legionnaire Paul Fulcomer said. “They are called POWs and MIAs; we call them comrades.”
County Legislator Gary Kent, guest speaker, recalled the purpose of Pearl Harbor Day.
“It took that brazen attack on Dec. 7 to awaken American outrage,” he said. “What we had ignored for more than 10 years could no longer be ignored. Congress declared war against Japan on Dec. 8.”
Local representatives of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard accompanied legion family officers in a procession of ceremonial covers and lighting of candles, as well as a wreath-laying ceremony to honor fallen soldiers.
Local heroes were honored when the names were read aloud of the 81 members of the local American Legion who died since last Dec. 7.
The ceremony closed with the playing of taps and presentation of the honor guard.
Contact editor Holly Toal at 798-1400, ext. 8225.
