I've been invited to participate in a wreath laying memorial service honoring my great uncle William Logan Gwinn. The service is taking place at the 71st Inf. Regt., New York State Natl. Guard Veterans Cemetery in Hastings-on Hudson, NY The Veterans Association is hosting this event on April 14th at Mount Hope Cemetery. William Gwinn was a member of the Regiment and served with it in Cuba during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Every year, in May, the Regiment holds a memorial service for those who served in this war. This year the event has been moved up to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15th, 1912. William Gwinn was a U.S. Postal Clerk aboard Titanic. He did not survive the sinking. The regiment is honoring William this year for his service both with the Regiment and aboard Titanic. A quote on this event from the regiment reads as follows: Shortly after the Titanic tragedy, a monument, commemorating Private Gwinn's service to his country was placed alongside the graves of ten of his fellow veterans from the Spanish-American War. While his remains were forever lost to the sea, it was felt that his spirit would live on in the presence of his companions. The monument, containing his name, rank and regimental company along with the simple phrase "died at his post" exemplifies the respect and admiration his fellow veterans had for his service and the bravery he displayed in the face of peril. His marker lies in the shadow of our Spanish-American War monument that, only recently, received both state and national historic site designation. Attached is a picture of Will Gwinn, his headstone at the cemetery and the regiment's plaque at the cemetery.
The 71 st Veteran Association thanks the following for their help: Special recognition to participating members of the NY Guard s 88 th Brigade for providing the Honor Guard and Rifle Squad Mr. Fred Wasserman, Colonial Drummer NYC Fire Department Piper Mr. Thomas Richie, Bugles Across America, son of Col. John V. Richie Ms. Sally Davidow of the American Postal Workers Union who provided research material for this program Mr. James O Donnell, Archivist, Smithsonian National Postal Museum, who provided portraits Mr. Paul Feiner, Town of Greenburgh Supervisor, who provided Proclamation The 71 st Infantry Regiment Veteran Association Annual Memorial Service and 100 th Anniversary Remembrance of those who lost their lives on the RMS Titanic Mt. Hope Cemetery April 14 th, 2012 Mr. Alan Gwinn and Ms. Bonnie Stephenson who provided family information and photo Distinguished Guests State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins State Assemblyman Rory Lancman County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky Ms. Bonnie Stephenson, Granddaughter Mr. Alan James Gwinn, Great Nephew Deceased Regimental Members: Mr. John H. Dirzius, American Postal Workers Union
John Hollmen Louis J. Mazzarella Pledge of Allegiance Joseph Carmona Richard P. Parise John O. Santelli Invocation Father Edward Kane Benjamin Sudano Introduction Proclamations Louis K. Milgram Francis E. Smith Special recognition for the devoted service of three U. S. Postal Clerks who perished safeguarding the mail: Roll Call of Regimental Deceased Members & Titanic Remembrance Rifle Salute Taps Antonio Sirvent & Louis K. Milgram 88 th Brigade NY Guard Thomas Richie Addresses by Attending Officials: State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins Assemblyman Rory Lancman Legislator MaryJane Shimsky John Starr March Pvt. William Logan Gwinn Veteran, 71 st Infantry Regiment Spanish-American War Oscar Scott Woody Mr. John H. Dirzius Placement of Wreath Concluding Remarks Benediction Bonnie Stephenson & Alan Gwinn Louis K. Milgram Father Edward Kane Program Procession Led by Piper and Drum President s Welcome Donald Ferguson
Bonnie Stevenson and I laying wreath
Bonnie Stevenson and I laying wreath
Shutterbugs
Honor guard leaving ceremony
Will s granddaughter, Bonnie Stevenson
Bonnie and me
Inside memorial building
Close-up
Bonnie at Regimental luncheon
Will s headstone