The sight and sound filled my eyes and ears, a piece of America on Memorial Day Weekend so right.
"Thunder Road" by my very favorite musician, Bruce Springsteen, leading a tight unit so important to me from my first loyal marching years onward, the E Street Band, carried over the PA system. A battleship-shaped battalion of wood hosting American flags ready to be retired sat as the centerpiece of the festivities, growing as newcomers brought another and another to add to the tribute.
The Vietnam Veterans Association, Central New York Chapter #103 started its Memorial Day Weekend Watchfire in 1995. Sunday at the New York State Fairgrounds' Veterans' Memorial Watchfire Park in the Brown parking lot, I attended my first.
I'll never forget it.
Pieces of the past met signs of the future. My thoughts swirled all night.
The announcer on the portable stage, a radio host from local rock station the Dinosaur, explained how this is the only such event in America, set up to pay tribute to those who've given the ultimate sacrifice by serving the military of our country. The Watchfire at the center of the event serves two purposes. One is to properly give disposal to American flags that have become battered through use. After 9/11, more Americans began flying Old Glory, and more flags saw more wear and tear and needed the respectful way to go out. The second is a symbolic welcome back to lost soldiers. Watchfires were used in the Civil War to light the way back for those who'd lost contact with their troops.
Hundreds of veterans and their families were surely among the thousands of folks who brought chairs and traditional tailgate material to take part here in Syracuse. You could see it on the caps on their heads, the shirts on their chests and in the look in their eyes.
Judy and Jim Schuyler of Fremont were circling the tower of flags with several hours of daylight remaining. "Her son served on the Kitty Hawk," Jim mentioned to a passerby.
That son would Lieutenant Commander Kasimir Wnuk, who indeed served on the Kitty Hawk in Japan for three years, Judy explained to me proudly as we talked beside the pyre. Her son enlisted in 2002 because he was so affected by 9/11, she said.
"In the Navy," she confirmed after I asked perhaps a silly question just to be sure.
"The best," her husband Jim interjected, with just as much pride.
After serving on that ship, Kasimir was deployed to Iraq. Just recently, they said, he completed two years of Navy college in Rhode Island, receiving his Master's, and now he'll serve two years at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
No, Kasimir has never been able to attend the Watchfire, but his mother and stepfather are regulars.
"It affects me most when they play Taps," Judy says. "It brings tears to my eyes. And the fire is spectacular."
There were tears to be seen as folks used the good afternoon light to take photos to remember. Some even placed important family heirlooms of those who've served upon the pyre.
Then many blue drums of kerosene were added as the finishing touches.
When dusk came nigh, the master of ceremonies asked all veterans to come forward, take a place of honor, stand for all to appreciate in a long and deep formation closest to the pyre.
A pipe and drum band played. A singer performed our National Anthem beautifully
A first spark was tossed.
The ignition was bright. The fire burned high and hot. Everybody involuntarily pushed back.
Within moments, the flags had gone to dust. The soldiers had seen and felt their welcome.
Happy Memorial Day, all.