Tioga to honor 13 Korean War dead

From StarGazette: Tioga to honor 13 Korean War dead
OWEGO -- Tioga County will honor the 13 men who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Korean War.

Wednesday marks National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, the 58th anniversary of the signing of the Military Armistice Agreement at Panmunjom.

"It is a day to honor our service members who fought and died for freedom and democracy in the Korean War," said Jim Raftis, an organizer of a remembrance ceremony scheduled for noon in front of the Korean War Memorial and the Tioga County Veterans Memorial near the county courthouse.

Names engraved on the Korean War Memorial are: Pvt. Norman E. Briggs, Pfc. Robert L. Burke, Pfc. David W. Card, Pfc. Franklin Holdridge, Pfc. John H. Lisenby, Airman 1st Class John W. Maslin, Pfc. Raymond Uriah Short and Pfc. Raymond E. Weaver.

New honored names to be added are: Pfc. Gene E. Barton, Pvt. Richard Galpin, Cpl. Richard Henderson, Sgt. Leonard C. Hull and Cpl. James Henry Martin.

The ceremony will include the presentation of colors, national anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, invocation and benediction. There will also be a brief history of the Korean War and roll call of the 13 fallen.

Keynote speaker will be decorated Korean War veteran Joseph W. Ceurter of Berkshire, who is in the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, Raftis said. Ceurter was a first sergeant in the Army's 1st Cavalry Division. His military honors include two Silver Stars, two Bronze Star Medals and five Purple Hearts.

A wreath will be laid to remember the fallen heroes and deceased Korean War veterans.

In total, 54,246 American servicemen and women lost their lives in the three year years of fighting, Raftis said.

American flags will be lowered to half-staff in commemoration of the sacrifice of these and all veterans and their families.

The Owego Veterans Memorial Committee is inviting Korean War Gold Star Families and surviving Korean War veterans and their families. Also welcome are veterans of Afghanistan, Iraq, Desert Storm, Vietnam, World War II and other duty stations, and their families, Raftis said.

Support to Korean War veterans from the public is encouraged, he said.

Those who attend the remembrance ceremony are asked to bring a lawn chair.