Remembering Veterans 
on 
Memorial Day
 

At a special "Flags In" ceremony on Memorial Day, Tioga Post 401 American Legion Adjutant Fred Tiffany placed nine small American flags of remembrance at the base of the World War II Memorial at Owego's Courthouse Square (right). The nine flags represented nine Tioga County servicemen who were killed in action but whose names are not inscribed on the memorial. 

During the Memorial Day Ceremony, wreaths were placed at the four war memorials (pictured above) to honor and remember the 112 servicemen from Tioga County who were killed in action and whose names are inscribed on the monuments: 25 from World War I, 63 from World War II, eight from the Korean War, and 16 from the Vietnam War. 

 Master of Ceremonies Jim Raftis (above) read the names of the 95 Tioga County veterans who died in the last twelve months. The POW/MIA's from all wars were also remembered.

While Jim Raftis read the list of recently deceased veterans, two buglers played Taps (one by the monuments, and one by the bridge), and Hans Rudin (pictured at right) threw a memorial wreath into the river.

 Keynote speaker New York State Adjutant Dick Pedro of Owego  noted that "in the war against Iraq, America's young patriots answered the call, serving their county - going in harm's way -- for the sake of a passionate ideal - freedom." 
 Tioga County's World War II Memorial, dedicated in 1987, has space for one more name. 

Tioga County's World War II Memorial dedicated in 1987, has space for one more name.  The Owego Veterans Memorial Committee would appreciate your ideas. What's the most appropriate way to inscribe new names? Also, are you aware of any other Tioga County World War II veteran killed in action whose name should be honored on the memorial? If you have an idea and if you have information on those who made the supreme sacrifice, you may call Jim Raftis 687-4229. 

 The nine Tioga County servicemen who were killed in action during World War II, but whose names are not inscribed on the memorial are: 

• Private Hugh Gardner, Jr.,  of Apalachin, killed in  action March 21, 1945, and buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg. 

• Sergeant Earl Diller, Jr., of Candor, killed in action November 29, 1944

• Seaman First Class Lloyd J. Quick, of Candor, killed in action July 17, 1944

• Ralph Piatt, of Candor, killed in action in France, January 1945

• Private Robert C. Baker, of Candor, killed in action January 15, 1945, and buried in the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg. 

• Flight Officer John E. Wright, of Nichols, killed in action October 25, 1944, and buried in the Cambridge American  Cemetery in England. 

• William Ballard of Newark Valley, aboard the USS Ingram sunk at sea in 1942

• Richard Romine, of Owego, killed in action May 12, 1945

• Lt. Commander John Reybold, of Owego, killed in action March 19, 1942.