In peacetime, too, all gave some and some gave their all

Dennis Sellers raises his hand to acknowledge his Navy service in Vietnam as Korea War vet Al Benton, right, tries to comfort his father in law, WWII vet Al Huppe, who was overcome with emotion at Rochester's Memorial Day service. (Rochester Voice photo)

ROCHESTER - The guest speaker at Rochester's Memorial Day observance held at the Common today told a large crowd that those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country didn't always die in a foreign land during a named war.

Many servicemen and women die in peacetime during training and other incidents like the recent Naval tragedies in the South Pacific, those who died on the USS Cole and USS Thresher and last October's deaths of four Army soldiers in Niger who were overwhelmed by a large force of Al qaeda fighters.

Robert Pierpont, a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer, said many don't think on Memorial Day of the thousands of servicemen and women who have died over the years in nonwartime incidents, in training accidents and under various other circumstances, both home and abroad.

These people died every bit as much while defending their country as any wartime casualty, he said, and they're sacrifice should never be forgotten.

Armed Forces Service men and women wave to the crowd from a float as they near the Common during Memorial Day services in Rochester on Monday. (Rochester Voice photo)

Pierpont also reminded the crowd that women are now playing a greater and greater role in our military, even now serving on submarines, which is where Pierpont served many missions.

The service was held on a raw day amid gloomy skies that saw many wrapped in blankets along the parade route between Holy Rosary Church on North Main and the Common, where several hundred turned out to pay their respects.

The DAV, American Legion, Spaulding ROTC, Rochester Scout Troops and the Spaulding High band all took part in the observance.

The band played a rousing rendition of all four major service hymns, during which

Rochester ROTC cadets march in formation down South Main Street they near the Common. (Rochester Voice photo)

individuals who had served in the various branches raised their hands to acknowledge their service to the country.

Father Thomas Duston gave the opening prayer.

World War II veteran Leo Huppe, the parade's grand marshal, was escorted by wheelchair by his son-in-law, Korean War veteran Al Benton, as Huppe laid a wreath at the memorial for fallen servicemen and women and gave a long salute as the service neared its conclusion.

After Officer of the Day Gordon Oliver played Taps and the crowd broke up dozens of young people surrounded an emotional Huppe to shake his hand and thank him for his service.