Clouds loomed ominously over Richard Homan Park in Sugar Grove as veterans, family, friends, and supporters gathered for the annual Memorial Day remembrance.
Despite the forecast and the heavy rain showers that eventually joined the proceedings, approximately 50 turned out for the ceremony that gradually increases in attendance every year.
Amy Homan DePoy, daughter of the late Richard Homan, was invited to the podium to share her thoughts on her father’s legacy and the meaning of the day. She shared that “I am so pleased with this turnout. Dad would have been so proud.”
“If there was a veteran that needed help,” DePoy said, “dad was there for him.” She concluded with “a big thank you to everyone who came to this space.”
Phillip Downs offered the opening prayer, stating, “Let us be mindful of the sacrifices made.”
Kevin Light, the main speaker of the day, was introduced by Steven O’ Toole, who shared that Light had served as state quartermaster for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and retired from military service as a command master chief. O’ Toole also mentioned that Light actively supported the Potomac Highlands Wounded Warrior project of planning outdoor recreation outings for veterans, saying, “He comes up annually for the bear hunt.”
Light spoke of the value and meaning of what he described as a “remembrance” and not a holiday in the typical sense of the term. “This is not the unofficial first day of summer,” he noted “but a sacred remembrance . . . of those who gave the last full measure of devotion.” The honor, virtue, courage, and sense of duty behind the sacrifices remembered on Memorial Day are more than “just a phrase on a banner or a hashtag on social media.”
As Light spoke, the healing rains that had blessed Pendleton County in recent days rose from a sprinkle to a roar that even the microphone could not overcome. All in attendance understood the military maxim of “the first thing in battle to go out the window is the plan.” George Armstrong and O’Toole invited those in attendance to go ahead and eat until the rain slackened off and then Light could return to his talk.
On hand for the luncheon was a selection of roast beef, ham, or turkey sandwiches and also several different pies.
After lunch and as the rain eased a bit, Light returned to the podium to conclude his remarks. He quipped and smiled, “I do apologize for bringing the rain,” then continued to honor “ordinary people who were called upon to do extraordinary things.”
His talk finished with the fact that “freedom is not a gift, but a debt . . . paid for with the blood of our truest patriots.”
At the center of the service comes the reading of the young men that Pendleton County lost in World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Then Armstrong informed the crowd that the program would then go a little bit “off script.”
Jerry Ruddle, Vietnam veteran, expressed that “it’s an honor to be here” and shared some memories. Then came a ceremony in which the VFW honored a family respecting its military heritage and traditions. Missy Harrison brought with her the military possessions of Eston Propst to officially transfer those items to her daughter.
Propst was a private first class who joined the service in 1956. Those possessions included his dog tags, DD-214, Korean cash, flight tickets, uniform, and “the military flag draped over his coffin after his 2020 death that was handed to his 98-year-old mother.”
The possessions were then duly passed to the next generation with the blessing of VFW Post 9666.
After this emotional moment came the laying of the wreath and the playing of taps.
Downs then closed out with a prayer. All were invited to stay on “as long as you like.”
