And so they burn… WATCHFIRES
“Since 1987, Rockland County’s Vietnam Veterans have come together to build such fires according to the military regulations and specifications of the 1700’s.
* Watchfires are built every year on May 30th, the traditional Memorial Day. They are lit at midnight and burn until dawn on Memorial Day, then refueled at dark and burn til midnight again. Veterans stand watch, changing shifts through the night, and day, and night, as they had a generation ago.”
—Vietnam Veterans of America, Rockland County’s Chapter
Pictured here, on the sidelines of this photo, is the:
MONUMENT MARKS 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAMP SHANKS, WW II BASE LOCATED IN ROCKLAND COUNTY...
The inscription on the monument is the heartfelt poetic tribute to OUR VETERANS by Rose Marie Raccioppi, Poet Laureate, Orangetown, New York.
To Honor Those Who Lived a Cause
Flowers and flags in devoted array
A loving tribute in homage this day
To honor those who lived a cause
This moment, this day, and so a pause
Hearts and souls in valor known
Right Intention and devotion shown
Battlefields of victory and plight
Through all beheld freedom’s light
Answered they did to liberty’s plea
That freedom be held for a you, a me
Sons and daughters, husbands and wives
Children of purpose have given their lives
The breath of freedom an endowment divine
Bequeathed to life yours, life mine
With valor and sacrifice they gave
And embraced the call yet to be brave
In memorial and reverence gather we
For held be the right that we live free
Memory of each life gone never to fade
Live we life’s blessings for sacrifice made.
EVER SHALL WE REMEMBER … with a special dedication to Jerry Donnellan for his vision made real…
http://apogeepoet.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-monument-marks-70th-anniversary-of_8.html
Rose Marie Raccioppi
