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June 3rd, 2006 was a special day for our local communities. Inhospitable weather conditions would not stop the celebration, or dampen the spirits of the people who attended the Boonville Historical Club’s dedication of a historical marker honoring Boonville’s 97th New York Volunteer Civil War Regiment in Erwin Park.

Historian Frank Tomaino gave an account of this tumultuous time in our history, “The Fighting 97th – A Brief History”, as stated in the Boonville Herald. The 97th did “fight like hell”, according to Mr. Tomaino. The moving tribute to these brave soldiers brought tears to many who were in attendance.

As told by Mr. Tomaino, the human sacrifice for the 97th was staggering. The volunteers dropped everything, leaving loved ones behind when they were called to join the war. As the story did unfold, an air of reverence settled over the ceremony while everyone carefully listened, trying not to miss any detail.

As I stood listening, I was also watching the American Flag placed next to the pavilion by the 76th NYSVI re-enactors. The Flag began to lean ever so slightly to one side and the fringe came dangerously close to touching the ground. But I was not the only one watching the Flag. A member of the 76th was also watching, and took care to see that the Flag was kept safe.

Keeping Old Glory safe, in honor of all servicemen and women, it is our duty. The Flag is a symbol, an emblem of all that we hold sacred in America. But keeping Old Glory safe requires that we never forget the values and principles upon which this country was founded, for what lies behind the symbol is what matters most.

The celebration of Flag Day dates back to 1885, when a schoolteacher in Wisconsin arranged for the students to observe June 14th as “Flag Birthday”. In a 1914 Flag Day address, Franklin K. Lane, Secretary of the Interior, said the Flag had spoken to him: “I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself.”

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is a powerful affirmation of American Patriotism:

. . . It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

The Oneida-Herkimer Solid Waste Authority did not have to build a landfill; they chose to do it despite vehement local opposition to the destruction of beautiful Tug Hill land. Citizens were tossed aside like worn out shoes, and 99% of the political representatives stood by and watched; Senator Ray Meier helped make it a reality. Now we sit on the sidelines of a fierce power line battle to our south where county and state politicians have vowed to help citizens protect their environment and communities. This only adds insult to injury for the residents of Northern Oneida County.

This is not government of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is political corruption at its finest. Without money and power, politicians aren’t interested in listening. This is not what Lincoln had in mind. Local residents should not rely on the county to protect the communities’ best interests. OHSWA is not going to do it, nor the governor. It is up to the local officials to find their way through the murky waters. Will they do the right thing, or will they fall into the trap that has been set?

Everett McKinley Dirksen’s words from At Lincoln’s Tomb provide inspiration for all our deeds:

. . . We are standing, Father Abraham, devoted millions strong, firm in the faith that was yours and is ours, secure in the conviction bequeathed by you to us that right does make might and that if we but dare to do our duty as we understand it, we shall not only survive --we shall prevail.

Kathy Crofoot, ACAL Communications Member