The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association conducted a memorial service honoring our deceased members on July 9, 2022 at the Gerald H. B. Solomon National Cemetery. This annual ceremony formally honors our deceased members who volunteered and dedicated their time and commitment in setting a remarkable example of professionalism and devotion to duty in building our all-volunteer Veteran organization into the premier team we are today.
The event took place on a beautiful morning attended by family members and friends in Committal Shelter #2 and conducted by the following participants:
- Color Guard: Gary Squires, Detail Leader / Barry Baker / Frank Merrill / Tim Forbes / Wendell Williams / Art Knorr
- Rifle Detail: Ted Mosher, Detail Leader / Bob Haney / Paul Buskey / Al Cyr / Bill Leahy / Jay Ogden
- Bugler Caroline Sirchia
- Wreath Bearers Dennis Latham & Joe Thatcher
- Vice Commander Don Boone
- Commander Art Dutcher
- Family Greeter Mark Joly
- Ceremony Attendees Pat Festa / Karen Whitcomb / Al Ernst
- Photographers Dave Seymour & April Van Arnum (Cemetery Representative)
Commander Dutcher welcomed everyone and offered an Invocation. He then validated our Association’s commitment to honor our deceased members as a testament of our unity as an organization, beginning on July 9, 1999.
Since our inception, our members have remained steadfast through every weather extreme, at times nearly overwhelming numbers of services and unscheduled requests to perform Military Funeral Honors. This solemn ceremony served as a tribute to the unwavering commitment our deceased and current members have displayed every day since our inception, something every member, past and present, takes great pride in.
Dennis Latham and Joe Thatcher brought the Deceased Members Ceremonial Wreath to the front of the Shelter. Vice Commander Boone read the names of 98 deceased members and highlighted the 58 Charter Members (initial membership in 1999).
Commander Dutcher reaffirmed our commitment to perform our Association mission…to provide military funeral honors for honorably discharged veterans at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery…and strive to build an even stronger, dignified and professional Honor Guard Association founded on our past and present members.
The Rifle Detail fired three volleys followed by the playing of Taps. Commander Dutcher then retired the Colors and concluded the ceremony.
Post submitted by Vice Commander Don Boone
Download the program HERE