Ilion has a proud tradition of service to the country in the armed forces, from the Civil War to the present time, Mayor John P. Stephens said at the Village of Ilion Veteran’s Ceremony Monday, Nov. 10. That tradition is recognized at the Town Hall Auditorium with the names of Ilion Veterans on the Memorial Wall, grouped by the conflicts in which they served. On Monday, 22 names were added to the Wall.
The high school students added gravity to the ceremony.
After Mayor Stephens’ welcome and introductions, the ceremony opened with the Presenting of the Colors by Central Valley (CVA) Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by the CVA Chamber Choir under the direction of Mark Bunce.
Mayor Stephens is very proud of Ilion’s tradition of service.
The reading of the names was followed by a Choral Tribute to the Armed Services by the CVA Choir, a medley of tunes famously associated with each branch of service.
They were awesome.
I was very impressed with the choir and the JROTC students. The harmonies of the choir were incredible, and the military bearing of the soldiers was excellent.
Stephens concluded the ceremony by mentioning a number of village employees who had also served and again praising Ilion’s long tradition of service.
“If you see a vet, thank a vet,” he said.
Mohawk Valley Girl 