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Generations Join To Assure That Veterans Are “Never Forgotten”

photo provided Colonel Jeffrey Farnsworth

photo provided Petty Officer Cassandra Foote

Monday May 31, 2010

    On Memorial Day, the population of the little city will multiply by at least a factor of five and over 10,000 people will line the streets, yards, porches and balconies to watch the largest parade in the state pass by. In addition to the overwhelming show of support for community organizations and children, the parade will carry a more somber and haunting message. It will celebrate and honor the American veterans past and present so that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Joining the festivities that will include visiting dignitaries, state leaders and veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraq, are two current American military members who grew up in the area and called Vergennes their home.

    Two graduates of Vergennes Union High School (VUHS) who have gone on to excel in their respective military careers will participate in the annual Vergennes Memorial Day parade, sponsored and run by American Legion Post 14. The parade, with the theme of “NEVER Forgotten,” will begin its two-mile route at 11:00 am on Monday May 31. At its conclusion, ceremonies will take place in Vergennes City Park. These include the laying of a wreath at the Commodore McDonough monument and readings and addresses by a variety of dignitaries.

    Scheduled to return to play leading roles are two active duty military members originally hailing from “The Little City.” COL Jeffrey Farnsworth, Commander of the Army’s First Space Brigade based in Colorado Springs, CO will be the guest speaker during the ceremonies. Cryptologic Technician (Technical) First Class Cassandra Foote, a leading petty officer and instructor at the Navy’s Center for Information Dominance in Pensacola, FL is slated to serve as the Grand Marshall. Both are alumni of VUHS and, in addition, COL Farnsworth is a graduate of both Norwich University and the Army War College from which he holds a Masters Degree.

    Colonel Farnsworth has been commander of the 1st Space Brigade, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command / U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command since July 2008. He is responsible for the supervision of three one-of-a-kind battalions with forces forward deployed at 14 locations in 7 countries providing day-to-day space support to the operational Army.  Prior to his assignments within the Army Space community, he served in a variety of assignments as an Engineer Corps officer. Colonel Farnsworth’s personal awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with four Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with four Oak Leaf Cluster), Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters).

    Petty Officer Foote, who enlisted in the Navy following graduation from VUHS, was recently named the winner in the Navy’s Shore Sailor of the Year competition.  She qualified by first being selected Sailor of the Year from the Navy Education and Training Command, the Navy-wide organization that includes virtually all schools in the Navy from recruit training through those offering the most advanced technical courses. She followed this by being selected as Sailor of the Year at the next echelon, the Navy’s Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education organization which includes not only training commands but also a wide variety of other human resource related organizations such as the Recruiting Command and the Navy Personnel Command. That means our Vermont sailor has been recognized as THE top sailor from among all the shore commands in the entire Navy! She has served tours of duty at sea aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81), a destroyer. She is qualified as both a Surface and an Air Warfare Specialist.

    This past week, VUHS students again joined forces with American Legion Post # 14 to cover the cemeteries of the local area and replace the flags on the graves of over 800 veterans who served the country in wars that included the American Revolution, World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. While the sunshine was warm and the group light hearted, many paused in silent reflection at the gravesites of local fallen soldiers and in their own way thanked them for the gifts they gave. The group also learned how to properly fold and present a flag, seeing first hand the meanings of the stars, stripes, and folds of the nation’s flag and symbol. This is the second year of this joint venture and both the students and the Commander of Post # 14 were pleased by the work and the accomplishment. Generations joined to assure that the veterans are never forgotten.     

    While the state’s attention will be focused for a moment on the Little City and the parade that is an annual tradition, the message carried away can not be forgotten any day or any month or any year. As members of a democracy that allows us to live in freedom, the message is one that freedom comes at a cost and that as we sleep, dream, play, work and live our lives, there are Americans on duty and those in our past who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their devotion so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms we take so much for granted. Generations joined so that veterans are never forgotten and remembered with honor.
(Article reflects both press announcement from American Legion Post # 14 and writings of Otter Creek Basin Student History Club members)

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