Annual Salute to our fallen Comrades

   Memorial Day weekend is a busy time for members of the Matthew Cleary Post 255 American Legion. The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) and legion members decorate the graves of veterans at St. Columba and the Town cemetery on Church Street with flags and geraniums. The Post 255 Ladies Auxiliary are busy selling poppies to benefit disabled veterans.

   At 8:00 am on Monday, Sergeant at Arms Rod MacDonald and the Post 255 Color Guard fire at both Caledonia and the Mumford Rural Cemeteries.

   The parade started at 10:00 am to the patriotic beat of Kelley’s Heroes and the Cal-Mum High School Marching band as it made its way up North Street to the Matthew Cleary Post War Memorial where Post Commander Mel Keenan presided over a short ceremony.

   Post Chaplain Jim O’Donoghue gave the Invocation and Benediction with Bob Rapone as this years’ Guest speaker. (see below)

   Commander Keenan announced the winners of the essay contest, "What Memorial Day Means to Me", held for CMCS High School juniors. First place – Katie Allkoffer; second place – Geena Grattan and third place – Angela Clary.

   Sons of the American Legion held a poster contest for CM Elementary School students. SAL Squadron Adjutant Steve Pullyblank announced the winners: Tyler Davis, Taylor Steves, Olivia Clark and Chelsea Riggi.

   Gold Star Mother Cecil Knickerbocker of Caledonia placed a wreath at the war memorial monument to honor her son, and all others, who gave their lives, the ultimate sacrifice for America. World War II Veteran Stanley Rychlicki and Korean War Veteran Alan Roggen also placed a wreath at the Memorial.

Decorated Viet Nam War veteran delivers message of thanks

   He’s delivered moving speeches at several military observances but never one like he gave on Memorial Day at the Matthew Cleary Post 255 ceremony.

   Decorated Viet Nam War veteran and Caledonia-Mumford High School graduate Robert Louis Rapone, told the crowd gathered at the war memorial that the service of those who lost their lives in battle is much more worthy of our attention than any words he could deliver in a speech. He quoted from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the most quoted speech in American history.

   "we can not dedicate ... we can not consecrate ... we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." U.S. President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

   He added several moving sentiments for those gathered to remember the men and women who lost their lives in battle but none so personal, so moving as when Rapone disclosed to the crowd, his personal friends and fellow legion members, that he suffers from and receives regular treatment for post traumatic stress disorder resulting from his tours in Viet Nam. He relayed a brief meeting that he had at the PTSD clinic at the Batavia veterans’ hospital with a 20-year old Marine called Seth, who was also being treated at the facility. After exchanging conversation briefly, the Marine thanked Rapone and others like him for working diligently to secure medical treatment and benefits for veterans like him. The Batavia VA PTSD clinic is considered to be the best in the country.

   Rapone served two tours in Viet Nam as a ranger with the 173rd airborne brigade on long range patrol. He personally earned several military awards including the Viet Nam parachute wings with a combat jump star, two combat air medals, the Republic of South Viet Nam cross of gallantry with palm, the purple heart and the bronze star with valor. He is a member of the Viet Nam veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, Sons of the American Revolution, Hilton-Parma VFW and the Matthew Cleary Post.

   Commander Keenan concluded the ceremonies by presenting Rapone with a Certificate of Appreciation with the following remarks. 

   "We have used Bob as a speaker multiple times at our events because we always know that his informative and sometimes sobering remarks are coming straight from his heart.

   We often hear the word "Hero" when referring to our all volunteer soldiers and sailors of today. But during the Vietnam War, that word was seldom used.

   The intense combat Bob endured in Vietnam has left him with scars that do not show, but are everyday reminders of the consequences of war.

   So for those of us who know him, Bob is without doubt one of those unsung Heroes of the Vietnam era.

   This Certificate of Appreciation I am presenting, is a small gesture of Gratitude from the American Legion thanking Bob for his speeches and his service to our country.

   You are truly a Great American Bob Rapone!"

"What Memorial Day Means To Me"
By Katie Allkofer, Cal-Mum Junior