Rochester turns out to honor a 'beacon of hope through the ages'

Dalton Briggs of the Air Force lays a wreath at the Veterans Memorial at the Common during Veterans Day services on Monday. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - More than 100 turned out amid thickening clouds and chilly temps to express their honor and appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice of American's servicemen and women on Monday at the Rochester Common.

In a brief but solemn ceremony, Gordon Oliver of the Rochester Veterans Council read a proclamation by President Trump that thanked all of America's veterans through its 245 years of existence, from a brutal winter at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War to the beaches of Normandy in 1944 to ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in the continuing War on Terror.

ROTC cadet James Gannon, left, lowers Old Glory to half-staff as fellow ROTC cadet Steven Todd salutes. Gannon has already enlisted in the Army. Todd will be enlisting soon after graduating, but hasn't chosen a branch.

"You have been a beacon of hope through the ages and we, the American people, honor and express our deep appreciation," for you, Oliver read from the proclamation.

After a Knights of Columbus honor guard escort, representatives from the five branches of the military and POW-MIAs, one by one they silently laid six wreaths beneath the Common's veterans' monument before saluting those who have served.

Afterward, Spaulding High ROTC cadets James Gannon and Steven Todd, both seniors, lowered the flag to half-staff followed by members of the Roland E Patenaude Post 7 Color Guard firing off a volley in salute to their comrades in arms.

Gordon Oliver of the Rochester Veterans Council reads a proclamation from President Trump during Rochester's Veterans Day ceremonies at the Common on Monday.

Closing the 15-minute ceremony was Ben Stanley, who played "Taps."

For Spaulding ROTC Cadet Col. Kaleb Downer, the Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies are a highpoint of his ROTC service.

"All the ceremonies are so special," he said. "To get the chance to wear the uniform, even though I haven't really earned it yet, is something I love."

Downer will be earning it soon enough, though. After he graduates this spring, he'll be signing up with either the Air Force or the Army, he said.