Honoring Heroes in Small Town USA – Springville, NY

I love the tapestry that is this United States of America.

The small communities and hamlets sprinkled across America’s geography form the fabric and inject the color and context necessary to this tapestry’s vibrancy.  Each of these communities, whether they’re comprised of diverse farms and families or small manufacturing entities, bring special unique features, varieties and colors that make this National tapestry such a unique display for the world.  One of the “uniquenesses” of these communities is the way they honor their heroes.

If this is not your first exposure to the “Last Seven Days” guestbook web site, you will know that in more ways than one, this site honors two young men, fellow Soldiers, who with their families, paid the ultimate sacrifice to their Nation and their Community:  Specialists Gary Westcott and Bruce Crosby.

Saturday, July 21^st following a family reunion in Friendship, NY, my wife and I traveled to Springville, NY to see how that community of almost 4,300 people, honors one of these Soldiers, Specialist Five Bruce A Crosby, Jr.  On the west side of Springville’s South Buffalo Street between Woodward Avenue and Mill Street, nestled among young trees and bounded by a small brook is that community’s tribute to its fallen sons.  This little park hosts monuments connected by walking paths honoring the Springville area residents who have given their lives in battlefield engagements defending our freedom:  from World War I (eight), World War II (ten), The Korean War (three), The Vietnam War (four), and finally Operation Enduring Freedom (one).  There was a young man sitting on one of the benches when we arrived.  Sometime while I was taking pictures, he quietly departed.  I’ve since often wondered, was he a son, brother, nephew or friend of one of the fallen?

Thank you, Springville for honoring our fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have represented your community among our fallen.  It’s a source of encouragement to me, even this far away from the events of 1972, that you, the residents of Springville, have honored your sons this way.

I’ll leave you with some images from Shutterworth Park, Springville, NY.