Submitted Photo
Local veterans cheer during a Jan. 22 men's basketball game between SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Fredonia. Veterans were honored during the game.
VETERANS
SUNY Geneseo salute to veterans provides lasting memory
Area veterans were honored Jan. 22 during a basketball game in Schrader Gym at SUNY Geneseo.
Head athletic trainer Sharon West, Jen Salmon, Ruby Williams, and Geneseo athletic teams saluted the village Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion veterans during the game between Fredonia and Geneseo.
“It was pretty moving to see how much it meant to the veterans,” West said.
Ruby Williams, 14, played the National Anthem on violin before the game with what one veterans described as “a hushed and gentle hymn-like cadence.”
P.H. Gelper of Geneseo shares this description of the event in a letter to the editor:
“Ruby, Sharon’s 14-year-old niece stood alone in center court, her violin solo of the National Anthem a hushed and gentle hymn-like cadence, rather than a martial-air typical at sporting events .. it was (as is oft said); one could hear a pin drop. The echo off the line of joined teams and sharp color-guard at rigid attention, brought memories to the large crowd of national (and college) loss as recent as 9-11. This event, and the presentation of a special badge and lapel pin to each veteran, was the first formal college recognition of Geneseo veterans in memory.”
Sharon, Jen and V.F.W. Liaison Dick Platt developed the ceremony, carried out by women and men athletes, department staff, and G. Gagnier, assistant athletic director. Veteran commands were, D. Staley, American Legion J.L. Wadsworth Post 0271, and T. Dunlavery, F.W. Totten Post 5005, V.F.W. colorguards were R. Johnson, P. Stratton, T. Gurak, R. Baker, J. Decamp, and R. Long.
Local veterans are shown during the JAn. 22 men’s basketball game between SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Fredonia.
Hepler adds:
“A poignant ending was a little jig, danced by Don Yull, W.W.II Pacific Seabee Veteran, waving a Geneseo sweatshirt in memory of his safe return to this college, and to the student he would marry.
Many significant college events will fade with time, but Sharon and Geneseo college teams hung a lasting memory from Schrader rafters that night.
For the Veterans,
P.H. HEPLER
Geneseo
