Big crowd
honors fallen soldiers
in Cooperstown
By GREG KLEIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Several hundred people attended Cooperstown’s Memorial Day Parade and gathered at the Civil War Memorial on Monday, May 31, to hear speeches honoring military members who have died in service to the United States.
The guest speaker, David Reiss said the number of Americans who have given their lives in service is about .3% of the population.
All Americans have an obligation to those people, he said.
“The natural right and duty of democracy and freedom is to express our opinions,” Reiss said. “As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ‘with freedom comes responsibility.’ For the .3% of citizens who have given their lives to maintain our freedoms, it is hopeful that we express our opinions and experiences with accurate and factual information. If we exaggerate or push ideas for our self-interest, we do not honor those who have given all for their county.”
Reiss, who served as a Navy pilot for eight years during the Vietnam War, said he keeps a book with the biographies of the 26 people he served with who died in combat, so he can remember them and honor their memories.
Reiss said the village’s support for its veterans is touching.
“Cooperstown is such a wonderful place,” Reiss said. “Even in this small community, it is humbling to go to the cemeteries and place flags on the graves of those who have served.”
Several speakers thanked Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh and the village’s Board of Trustees for allowing the parade to resume, following a 2020 hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.”
“There was no ceremony or parade last year as our nation dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tillapaugh said. “As we emerge from a year of precautions and social distancing, it is fitting that one of our first public events is this day of tribute to our armed services.”
Tillapaugh highlighted the village’s three memorials to its soldiers who have died in service. The service Monday was at the base of the Civil War Memorial, with a wreath being laid across the street at the memorial to other soldiers killed in service.
“They gave their today for our tomorrows,” Tillapaugh said.
Tillapaugh and Reiss both made mention of Cooperstown native Bobby Atwell, who died in Vietnam.
“On this day of remembrance, let me in particular remember a Cooperstown man, who in my memory made that ultimate sacrifice,” Tillapaugh said. “Private First Class Robert W. Atwell, died on March 21st, 1968, during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam.”
Tillapaugh said the village and the Vets Club are working together to find a place to honor Atwell.
