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Village honors veterans and late historian Raymond Beecher

By Colin DeVries

COXSACKIE — Families and residents gathered for an intimate Veteran’s Day ceremony at the Coxsackie Riverside Park, which featured a flag pole dedication honoring the late great Greene County Historian Raymond Beecher.

The brisk outdoor ceremony began with a prayer by Pastor Stan Slager of the Gospel Community Church, while Veterans of Foreign Wars flag bearers let the colors fly with the autumn breeze.

Slager spoke of the difficulties facing our nation and our people going forward, including economic hardship and war.

“There are many who are troubled in this world today, even in our own country,” he said. “There are those who have been bereaved. There are widows and orphans, and also men who have served who are disabled and in great need. Our hearts go out to them.”

Coxsackie VFW Post No. 10986 Quartermaster Keith Prostler spoke briefly in remembrance of why we celebrate Veterans’ Day.

“Today we honor veterans,” Prostler said. “Those living, those among us today, and those who have passed. Hopefully we will remember the veterans who gave their lives in service of our country.”

Coxsackie VFW Post Commander William Kapusta followed by leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. As the gold-lined Old Glory waved taut by a sailing breeze, the words of the pledge rang true.

Pastor Slager then gave an account of the history of Veterans’ Day. Recalling it’s origin as Armistice Day, after the Nov. 11, 1918 World War I cease-fire accord between the Allies and Germany. The day was signed into law as a holiday by former President Dwight Eisenhower on May 26, 1954. An amendment to replace “Armistice” with “Veterans” was made by Congress on Nov. 8, 1954. It is known as Remembrance Day or Poppy Day in other areas of the world.

Coxsackie Town Supervisor Alex Betke was also on hand to share his thoughts for the veterans.

“Since we’ve gathered here today to remember our veterans and to dedicate this flagpole,” Betke said, “we should go forth from today and remember that the flag represents our freedoms, our way of life. It also serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration to many.”

After the rapt reflection by Betke, the dedication ceremony of the flagpole followed.

The flagpole, installed by the VFW in August of this year, had an uncertain future in the way of dedications. Alas, with the Oct. 9, 2008 passing of Coxsackie resident and County Historian Raymond Beecher, it now has been destined to bestow a profound namesake. One that will surely draw thoughts of respect and dignity.

A wreath was placed before the newly carved and engraved stone set at the base of the flagpole, which reads: “In memory of Raymond V. Beecher for service to his country and our community.” The stone and engraving were donated to the Coxsackie VFW by the Taylor Monument Company.

The commemoration of the flagpole was then extended to two people closest to him in memory, both of whom extended their hearts and displayed the emotional impact that has resulted from his loss.

Steven Beecher, nephew of Ray, began the dedication by reading passages from a diary that Ray kept during his service in the United States Army during World War II.

Ray had served with the 260th Port Defense Battalion in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. According to Steven there were more than five non-combat deaths for every combat death in that theater of war due to hypothermia, falling off ships into the freezing Bering Sea, or other destructive forces of the “wild.”

Ray wrote of having to fit 12 men into a tent on frozen snow, winning a small battle to get a camp stove that could boil water for laundry, or having to take furlough in Alaska because it was some 4,000 miles to travel back home to Coxsackie.

The 260th Quartermaster Battalion, which the 260th Port Defense Battalion later became known as, is currently serving in Iraq.

The well-preserved journal, dated from May 28, 1942 to June 1944, will likely be dedicated to the Vedder Library in Coxsackie, Steven said.

“(The diary) talks about friends that lasted forever,” said Steven, “and that’s truly what this is about. ... I think in the end what we’re going to do with this book is probably give it to the library so that many people can read his stories.”

Prostler said that it was fitting Ray would keep such a meticulous read during that time, something that carried over into his time as historian and keeper of records for Coxsackie and Greene County.

Friend Harvey Durham also reminisced on the life and times of Beecher, providing an abridged account of his accomplishments in the community and county.

“Raymond Beecher loved history,” said Durham, “especially local history, and was well-known by his many friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and the hundreds of people who read his weekly column ‘Greene Gleanings’ in The Daily Mail for over 20 years.”

Beecher was an author of numerous books and magazine articles, as well as curator of the Bronck Museum. He would later be the catalyst to founding the Vedder Library and rescued Cedar Grove: The Thomas Cole Historic Site from destruction.

In 2007, Durham and his wife escorted Beecher to the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development in Arkville where he was presented the prestigious Alf Evers Award for Excellence. He also was a recipient of an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Hartwick College in Oneonta, and the Onteora Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution National Gold Medal of Honor for his service to the nation.

“On Sunday, October 5th, four days before his death,” Durham said, “he was in the trading post at the Bronck Museum’s annual Heritage Craft Fair selling books, trinkets, second hand tableware and donated items. He was in a good mood, bargaining with the customers, and ended the day with $350 profit. If there is any good about his passing, it is that he was working for the museum and enjoying it right till the end. Ray will be missed.”

Durham’s eyes welled as he concluded his reminiscence of Beecher.

Kapusta followed with acknowledgment that “he will never be forgotten.”

Pastor Slager closed with a benediction to conclude with honoring our veterans.

“We are thankful, O God, for those who are willing to go (into battle),” he said. “We pray that their services would not be needed but when they are, we pray that they serve with dignity and humanity.”

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