Sampson State Park reopens with renewed sense of patriotism
ROMULUS, N.Y. -- "They say patriotism is dead. No it ain't, look it,” said Ralph Calabrese, Veteran.
Hundreds of veterans from across the state and generations of service gathered in Sampson State Park Saturday for a special ceremony. Some were very familiar with the terrain.
"I took my basic here with the Air Force in October '52,” said George Elyseev, Veteran.
George Elyseev was one of 300,000 airmen who went through basic training at Sampson Air Force Base during the Korean War.
"Trying to find former buddies flight 210 October 52,” said Elyseev.
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Four hundred thousand naval recruits were also trained here. They fought in every major battle of World War Two. However, over the years, much of Sampson State Park has sat vacant and unused.
This ground breaking unearthed a renewed sense of pride in the historic park.
"I can't think of a better use for this property than to be dedicated as a cemetery for our veterans. The veterans of our great nation,” said Chuck Lafler, Board of Supervisors Chair.
Local state lawmakers worked for years to pass legislation that transferred ownership of the proposed cemetery property from the state to the county.
Senator Michael Nozzolio recently secured $1 million to get the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery under way.
"It's something that we look to as a lasting permanent memorial to thank our veterans for all they've done to keep America free,” said Michael Nozzolio, (R) State Senator.
The Veteran's Memorial Cemetery will be located here at the south end of the campus. It'll be a little more than 100 acres, about half the size of Arlington National Cemetery. It'll also open a part of the park that's been closed to the public for years.
Whether they trained here or not, the veterans believe the new cemetery will keep an important part of our country's history alive.
"It means that you're remembered forever. Every Memorial Day, every Veterans Day, you might not know who John Doe was or Mary Smith but you come down here and you see this, and when you look up at Old Glory you realize it was the John Does and Mary Smiths that made it possible and so they'll never be forgotten,” said Elyseev.