June 9, 2011
T H E E VA N G E L I S T
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DIOCESAN CEMETERIES MILITARY HONORS CEREMONY
NATE WHITCHURCH PHOTOS
A CEREMONY AT St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands last week served as an introduction for a new “adopt-a-soldier” program inviting area residents to fund the restoration of a Civil War soldier’s grave; more than 500 such veterans are buried at the cemetery. The event also noted the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Top left, the Sons Union Veterans of the Civil War and Morgona’s Artillery reenactors gather. Top right, a new marble gravestone marks the resting place of Corporal Francis McCotter of Company C of the First Infantry of the New York State Volunteers; his descendants attended the ceremony. Above left, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard blesses a newlyinstalled headstone. Above, cadet Christian D’Allaird of Christian Brothers Academy in Albany helps Luis Navedo and Edward LaMora of the Disabled American Veterans fold an American flag. At left, keynoter and Assemblyman John McEneny speaks. Also in attendance were many veterans, including Col. Charlie Johnson of the U.S. Army and Ms. Charlie Peterson of the Coast Guard; Albany County executive Michael Breslin, who read a proclamation; members of the National Guard and a color guard.