Mt Zion June Newsletter

The 2019 Memorial Day Dedication at Mt. Zion Historical Park on Saturday, May 25th, was very well attended this year. Over 160 people participated in remembering and honoring our veterans.

 In addition, a plaque was dedicated in the Citizen’s Walkway to Chief Cornplanter as a reminder to us that these lands were once part of the Seneca Nation. Richard Coccimiglio opened the program by calling on the American Legion Post 978 and the Vietnam Veteran Chapter 720 to raise the Colors. This was followed by the “National Anthem” sung by Gabriella Fye.

Following the Invocation by Pastor Missy Smith, Mr. Coccimiglio, former American Legion State Commander, dedicated the 2019 veteran pavers for James Novosat, Ernest C. Johnson, William Lewis Feldman, Louis Facchine, Raymond Mattivi, and Donald G. Colby. The Park now has over 600 veteran pavers installed in the walkways. A presentation was made to Randy Kunes, who represented the Kunes Family, of a grave marker and a granite plaque for his great uncle Archie Kunes. Archie Kunes was a WWI veteran who was killed in action and buried in France. Although he was never able to be brought home, the memorial plaque placed next to his mother’s grave in the Mt. Zion Cemetery will now help to keep his memory alive. State Representative Matt Gabler joined the crowd once again this year and gave a brief personal tribute to our veterans.

Larry Kunes, president of the Mt Zion Cemetery Committee, presented Susan McClintick, treasurer of the Mt. Zion Historical Society, with the deed to newly purchased property which is located behind the Park. The addition of this property will now double the size of the Park.

Director of Elk Co. Veteran Affairs, Leslie Neal, dedicated the “Soldier Silhouette” on the hill overlooking the park. This memorial pays tribute to the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy. It was made and donated to the Park by Mel Dinsmore of St. Marys. Mr. David George-Shongo, Director of the Seneca-Iroquois Museum in Salamanca, NY, was the keynote speaker. He dedicated the plaque to Chief Cornplanter which was added to the Citizen Walkway. In addition to his information on Chief Cornplanter, he explained various Native American customs and terms. He also spoke of the new Seneca Museum in Salamanca, and invited everyone to visit the Museum.

Judge Richard A. Masson gave special thanks on behalf of the Mt. Zion Historical Society to the excellent community support in our recent fund drive. He also gave an eloquent tribute of thanks to our veterans.

The Colors were retired with a seven-gun salute and playing of the Taps, followed by Gabriella Fye’s beautiful rendition of “God Bless America”.

The program closed after Benediction given by Pastor Randy Hall of the Penfield United Methodist Church.