Rochester gathers to honor our veterans on beautiful day at the Common

Members of our armed services do a group salute to honor the nation's military during a recent Veterans Day ceremony at The Rochester Common (Rocheter Voice file photo)

ROCHESTER - Amid pleasant temps and a cloud-dappled blue sky, a solemn appreciation of veterans was held on the Common Monday, Veterans Day.

Air Force veteran Robert Johnson of Rochester doesn't remember exactly what day it was, but it was sometime in 1966 when he was ambushed during his tour in Vietnam.
Johnson said among his duties during his time in war zone was the retrieval of military vehicles and equipment that had been wrecked on the battlefield.
He said he'll never forget the day he was out preparing to tow some damaged vehicles back to his camp when he was ambushed by the enemy.

What happened?
"I stepped on the gas and got out of there," he quipped, a few moments before a Veterans Day ceremony was held at the Rochester Common.
About 300 folks showed up on a beautiful mild day to honor our country's veterans who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force and Coast Guard.
Also honored were our POW/MIAs as Amerocam Legion Post 7 commander Bob Talbot laid a wreath in honor of their sacrifice.

The master of ceremoncy also read a proclamation from Presient Biden honoring all of America's veterans, all whom gave a lot and some who gave their all.
Members of the Veterans Council of Rochester as well as Spaulding High Schools ROTC were on hand..
Following the laying of the wreaths there was a playing of Taps by Tom Jones of Rochester.