Ontario District American Patriot Remembrance
Ceremony: A Reverent and Heartwarming Ceremony Honoring Fallen Hero’s by
Sheila McCallum and Tim Welpe
Four year ago, members of the Ontario District
began efforts to institute a special ceremony in which they could recognize
those who have made the supreme sacrifice for our country. The six Lodges in
the Ontario District are Syracuse Lodge #31, Oswego Lodge #271, Auburn Lodge
#474, Fulton Lodge #830, Liverpool Lodge #2348 and Camillus Lodge #2367. These Lodges cover a three county area that
includes Oswego, Cayuga and Onondaga counties. The District formed a small
committee that was charged with the responsibility of gathering ideas and
piecing together a District effort to recognize our fallen heroes. The
committee consisted of Past State President Daniel Capella, Dave Longley, Fritz
Allen, Kevin Merriman and John Rinaldo. Through a collaborative effort, the
committee developed the foundation for the Ontario District “American Patriot
Remembrance Ceremony”. Past State President Daniela Capalla authored a
ceremonial script that has been used at the ceremony. The script has a distinct
role for the designated Exalted Ruler, Esquire, Chaplain, Leading Knight, Loyal
Knight and Lecturing Knight. A unique aspect
of the ceremony is that each of the designated officers is a Past Exalted Ruler
and Veterans. The ceremony includes musical selections, an Oration, a quest
speaker, the playing of Taps and new to this year’s ceremony, a Flag Folding.
This past year, the Ontario District held its fourth
“American Patriot Remembrance Ceremony”. The
ceremony was hosted by Oswego Lodge #271. This year, two fallen heroes and
their families were honored; Sgt. Francis Phillips, US Army and Senior Airman
Dennis Malone, US Air Force. Prior to the ceremony, the family members of those
being honored were escorted to their seats by Ushers Robert McCallum, PDDGER of
Liverpool Lodge #2348, Charles Diefenbacher, Past State Vice President of
Fulton Lodge #830 and John Pelmear, Past Exalted Ruler from Oswego Lodge #271.
The program began with opening remarks from Thomas Milam, PER, Oswego #271, an
invocation by Wayne Gleeson, PDDGER, Oswego Lodge #271, the Pledge of Allegiance
by Joseph DeSantis, and the National Anthem, which was song by the mother and
son team of Denise and Kevin O’Connor. Kevin Merriam, Past State Trustee,
concluded the opening with a presentation on the purpose of the ceremony.
The ceremony itself was brief yet reverent and
truly conveyed the appreciation of Elks who are members of the six District Lodges.
Ceremonial Officers for this year’s ceremony were: Exalted Ruler-Fred Bullard,
PER, Oswego #271, Leading Knight – Kevin Merriam, PST, Syracuse #31, Loyal
Knight – Raymond Caprin, PER, Fulton #830, Lecturing Knight – Earl Caporin,
PER, Camillus #2367, Esquire – Donald Fittipaldi, PDDGER, Camillus #2367 and
Chaplain – Wayne Gleason, PDDGER, Oswego #271.
Following the ceremonial tribute
by the Officers, PDDGER Donald Fittipaldi read the poem “Do Not Stand at My
Grave and Weep”. The poem was written by Mary Frye. Denise and Kevin O’Connor
performed a musical selection, During the Oration, Esteemed Leading Knight
Kevin Merriam called the names of those honored. A candle was lit by Esquire
Donald Fittipaldi as the names were announced. A last candle was lit in honor
of all that have ever served our country. Quest speaker, LTC Robert R.
Pritchard, Retied US Army, then provided an inspiring speech that focused on
the grieving and respect for those lost serving our country. New to the
ceremony this year was a Flag Folding. Fritz Allen, PDDGER, Cpl. USMC and Harry
Hewitt, E3Seaman, USN conducted the Flag Folding. At the completion of the Flag
Folding, the flags were simultaneously presented to members of the Phillips and
Malone families. Families and friends of the fallen American Patriots were
asked to accept condolences and sincerest gratitude for the sacrifices that
were made. They were presented an American
Patriot Plaque. The plaques contained
the “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep poem” and an emblem indicating the
individuals’ military affiliation. The families were also promised that their
loved ones will be remembered by the members of the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks now and in years to come.
Following the presentations of the Flags and
Plaques, Sgt. Phillips father Francis III briefly spoke about his son, sharing
a story that relayed the reminder that we have today, not tomorrow, and thanked
the Ontario District for honoring his son. Senior Airman Malone’s father
Richard also provided a thank you on behalf of his family. The ceremony
concluded with Benediction by Chaplain Wayne Gleason and the playing of Taps
that was performed by Emily and Corey King.
Since initiating the ceremony four years ago,
the District has honored fourteen members of the Armed Forces from the counties
located in the Ontario District that have made the supreme sacrifice in defense
of all that our American Flag represents.
The supreme sacrifice is the greatest gift an individual can give.
Those
honored have included:
Lt. Nathan Williams Petty
Officer 1st Class Joshua Smith
Sgt. Christopher Simpson Specialist Kyle Rookey
Cpl. Kyle Schneider SSG Stephen Reynolds
LCpl. Keith Ochsner Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Metcalfe
PFC Patrick Devoe Specialist
Kenneth Haines
Cpl. Robert Callahan Senior Airman
Dennis Malone
Sgt. Jerry Bell
SSgt. Francis Phillips
The
ceremony was attended by approximately 100 individuals. State Dignitaries
attending included Past State President Daniel Capella and his wife Barbara,
Past State President Tim Kelly, Past State President Richard Wunder and his
wife Julie, Major Project Chair Irene Pashley and her husband Jan, State
Veterans Chair Herb Flint and State ESE Editor Tim Welpe. Following the
ceremony, those attending were invited to a complimentary luncheon that was prepared
by the Lodge Auxiliary.
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