Jon Powers honors veterans
On an overcast morning in Clarence this Memorial Day, Jon Powers, candidate for Congress in NY-26, marched in his hometown’s Memorial Day parade as a member of the American Legion. Later that afternoon Powers also marched in the Greece Memorial Day parade and attended a remembrance ceremony after the parade.
Jon Powers is the only candidate for NY-26 who attended this ceremony, which honored our veterans. The other candidates either didn’t show up for the parade or left after the marching bands, floats and candy celebrations had been packed away.
The ceremony itself was a solemn recitation of the names of soldiers who died in service to our country. Flags were blowing in the breeze as the color guard lined up near the veterans’ memorial. The shudder of a twenty-one gun salute served as exclamation points to the stories played out in family after family, town after town.
Politicians sat on a raised stage looking out over our veterans sitting quietly under a big white tent, soaring patriotic themes permeating their speeches to the soldiers. I kept thinking of our president on the world stage braying lofty platitudes while our soldiers face death in the gritty theatre of war.
A little red-haired boy in a navy blue uniform watched impatiently as the service continued for half an hour. I wondered which of his parents was serving in Iraq or Afghanistan and if one day he too would be a soldier. As I considered this, a politician on stage said “There may never be a time for an end to the addition of names on this memorial…all we can hope for is a pause.”
Today, Jon Powers paused to acknowledge those who served their country.
Images Courtesy Michael Parks
Jon Powers *IS* what it feels like to be an American.
Washington will never be the same. Thank you for your service Mr. Powers. Thank you for being all that you are Mr. Powers. Thank you.
Jon Powers is the only candidate for NY-26 who attended this ceremony, which honored our veterans. The other candidates either didn’t show up for the parade or left after the marching bands, floats and candy celebrations had been packed away.
You mean Jack Davis didn’t pay people to hand out flyers and stickers? He must be losing his campaign mojo.
I walked the entire parade route and didn’t see him or any supporters. I did see the Republican candidate leaving right before the remembrance ceremony.
[...] Day events in the district including those held in Greece. Some viewed Powers presence as fitting and appropriate, others not so much. However you view it Powers was the only candidate campaigning at the [...]