WOODBOURNE — Veterans, firefighters and community members gathered Saturday, Nov. 7, for Woodbourne's 28th annual Veterans Day parade and ceremony, honoring those who served in the military and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country.

Hosted by the Woodbourne Fire Department, the parade brought veterans, emergency responders, Scouts and other participants through the hamlet before concluding at the firehouse, where ladder trucks from Ellenville and South Fallsburg suspended a large American flag above the arriving marchers.

The ceremony included remarks from local officials, recognition of veterans in attendance and a memorial tribute to James Richardson, who was remembered for his dedication to the annual parade, the fire department and the community.

Parade organizer Tony Mentnech presented Richardson's family with a plaque recognizing his service and commitment. Richardson had served as parade marshal several times and regularly reminded organizers about the approaching event.

Parade Marshal William Miller and his older brother were also recognized for their military service.

Sullivan County Chief Deputy Fire Coordinator Jack Halchak drew parallels between military service and the work of volunteer firefighters, emphasizing the courage, commitment and willingness to put others first required of both.

"Some return home carrying visible sacrifices. Others carry burdens that cannot be seen," Halchak said.

He also spoke about the sacrifices made by veterans who left their homes and families to serve, often facing uncertainty and danger far from home.

"Your service matters, your sacrifice matters," Halchak told the veterans in attendance.

Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff echoed those sentiments, recalling how he admired soldiers portrayed in war movies as a young man before developing a deeper appreciation for veterans and their real-life experiences.

"In real life, our veterans are our heroes," Schiff said.

Schiff encouraged attendees to consider not only what veterans endured during their service, but also the physical and emotional burdens many continue to carry.

County Clerk Russell Reeves also addressed the gathering, recognizing the families of service members who live with the uncertainty of having loved ones serving overseas.

"Their sacrifices deserve recognition as well," Reeves said.

Reeves then read a poem titled "Because You Chose to Serve," reflecting on the sacrifices of military personnel and the freedoms their service helped preserve.

The ceremony also featured a remembrance table honoring prisoners of war and service members missing in action. Mentnech explained the symbolism of its various items, including a rose representing the families of service members, a yellow ribbon symbolizing loyalty and an empty chair representing those who never returned.

Veterans in attendance were invited to stand and be recognized individually before chaplain Jim Kaufman delivered the ceremony's closing remarks.

Kaufman reflected on the experiences of young service members who were forced to grow up quickly after entering military service, particularly those who fought in Vietnam.

He also spoke about the lasting psychological effects of war and the experiences many veterans struggle to discuss.

"There's a scar that you don't see that sometimes never heals," Kaufman said.

He urged attendees to continue recognizing veterans beyond the annual observance.

"My respect, and I hope your respect for the veterans, never ends," he said.

Veterans reflect on their service

Army veteran Charlie Breiner, who enlisted in 1966 and attained the rank of E-4, participated in Saturday's parade and attended the ceremony at the Woodbourne Firehouse. Breiner served in a combat engineering company in Vietnam, where his responsibilities included maintaining weapons and performing road and perimeter guard duties.

"Most of us just accepted it as part of our duty to the country," he said of his decision to enlist.

Breiner also served during the Tet Offensive in 1968, a major coordinated assault by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.

"It was hell," he recalled.

Breiner described the offensive as a turning point in the war, challenging assurances from American officials that the United States was winning. Asked what he thought of the community gathering to honor veterans, Breiner said, "It's great."

A Vietnam veteran remembers

Also among those attending the ceremony was Army Sgt. John Luffman, a Purple Heart recipient who served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 after being drafted at 18 years old.

Luffman recalled leaving college before completing his studies and receiving his draft notice shortly afterward. He underwent basic training at Fort Jackson before being deployed to Vietnam, where he served near Da Nang.

During the Tet Offensive in 1968, Luffman was wounded in combat and spent approximately six or seven hours waiting to be evacuated as fighting continued around him.

He recalled eventually being loaded aboard a helicopter alongside soldiers who had been killed. The next thing he remembered was waking up in a military hospital, where doctors were treating his injuries.

Luffman described a lengthy hospitalization, including a period when medical personnel believed he might not survive.

He recalled waking up one day and leaving his hospital bed to use the bathroom, only to return and discover that nurses had begun clearing his bed, believing he had died and already been moved.

Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Luffman also remembered moments of humor during his recovery, including laughing so hard at a television comedy that a nurse warned him he might reopen his surgical wounds.

Nearly six decades later, Luffman still carries the bullet that wounded him, lodged in his spine.

He said the injury continues to cause considerable pain, but he remains grateful to have survived.

"Well, I'm happy I survived," Luffman said.

When asked what Veterans Day means to him, Luffman reflected on the soldiers who never returned home and the difficult reception many Vietnam veterans encountered after the war.

Luffman recalled fellow veterans removing their uniforms to avoid hostility from Americans opposed to the conflict. He said public attitudes toward veterans have changed dramatically since then.

"You know, the way that the people treat you now is 100, 110 [percent] different from when they first came back," Luffman said.

Despite his experiences, Luffman said he would still encourage young Americans to consider military service, describing it as an opportunity for personal growth and education.

"It's a great education," he said. "It's a great way to make a man of a boy."

For Luffman, the annual observance offered an opportunity to remember those who served alongside him, including the many who never made it home.