Geddes, NY - Thousands of Central New Yorkers poured out to the state fairgrounds tonight for the annual watchfire in honor of U.S. soldiers who died in service. Retired and tatttered U.S. flags collected by veterans’ groups and other organizations were burned in the huge bonfire. All told, some 12,000 flags were collected throughout the year, including about 2,000...
A Vietnam Veteran lights the watchfire at the state fairgrounds Sunday night in Geddes, NY. An estimated 12,000 retired or tattered American flags were burned.Geddes, NY - Thousands of Central New Yorkers poured out to the state fairgrounds tonight for the annual watchfire in honor of U.S. soldiers who died in service.
Retired and tatttered U.S. flags collected by veterans’ groups and other organizations were burned in the huge bonfire. All told, some 12,000 flags were collected throughout the year, including about 2,000 Sunday, said Joe McConnell, of the local Vietnam Veterans of America post.
Watchfires started in ancient times as a way for soldiers to find their way home from battle. The modern-day watchfire is meant to bring home all of the missing and deceased American soldiers, said organizer Gordy Lane, also of the VVA post.
As many as 15,000 people came to the fairgrounds parking lot at dusk Sunday. Among them was Air Force veteran Ashley McKeen, 62, of Baldwinsville, who said he served in Vietnam from 1968-69. This was McKeen’s first watchfire.
“It’s tough remembering all of the guys that didn’t come back with me,” he said. “This is the greatest honor I can think of.”
Contact Douglass Dowty at ddowty@syracuse.com or 470-6070.
Vietnam War era veteran Kevin Lacey, of West Monroe, signs the wall of remembrance at the 2010 watchfire at the state fairgrounds in Geddes, NY, on Sunday night.