Ticonderoga’s American Legion Post #224 veterans, (Thomas Provoncha, Charles Messier and Craig Cassidy) assisted by The Sons of the American Legion, Squadron #224, (Robert Fuller, James Dickerson, George Ash and James Rice) and three Eagle Scout members from Boy Scout, Troop #72 “Retrieved the Colors” today at seven local cemeteries, their own Veterans Memorial in Bi-Centennial Park, the Boy Scout’s Monument, and finishing with a special service at the Nursing Home.
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The “Order of the Day” started at 8 AM when the ensembled group formed at Valley View Cemetery followed by visits to: St. Mary’s, Chilson Community, Streetroad, Mission, Ingalls and Miller cemeteries. The group re-formed at 11 Am at Ticonderoga’s Veterans Memorial and at 18 minutes after the hour, in memory of the cessation of hostilities from World War I on November 11, 1919, the three Eagle Scouts placed the flag at half-staff, to be later raised again. It was only a short walk across to the Boy Scout Monument where again the scouts – Matt Cook, Mike LaFountain and Mark Glazer, as they had at all other locations, lowered the flag, folded it and presented it to the veterans’ commander, Richard Gaulin and observed by the Post Chaplin, Bill Sanders.
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All then proceeded up to the Nursing Home and repeated the ceremony for those veterans residing there. The veterans greeted the resident veterans, thank them for their service and Cmdr. Gaulin presented American Legion, Post 224 caps to each.
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Those that observed this ritual were sparse, with the largest gathering being at the Veterans Memorial where several young scouts with their leaders had presented themselves.
The Ticonderoga American Legion, Post 224 performs a flag raising ceremony on Memorial Day and the retrieving ceremony on Veterans Day. It is a moving and a thoughtful observance. The public is always invited to participate for the entire route or at a specific location.