Fourth of July -- er, Seventh of July -- in Roscoe and Fallsburg

Above: Mom's Supporting Troops carries its flag in Roscoe's Independence Day parade on Saturday. The community group includes parents of recent and actively serving military. All photos by Jason Dole.

Call it “4^th of July weekend, observed.” From Founder's Day in Wurtsboro to the UMC Chicken BBQ in White Sulphur Springs, Saturday sure seemed like another holiday in Sullivan County. The photos here come from two of those events – Roscoe's belated Independence Day Parade and craft fair Saturday morning, and the Town of Fallsburg's 9^th Annual Francis Currey Day at Morningside Park later that afternoon.

Roscoe's parade was brief, but festive. Mom's Supporting Troops, a small group of military families in the community, continued their tradition of carrying a flag in the parade. Parents of actively serving military members marched, including Marlene Ballard and Vicki Schwarz. They marched for their sons: Capt. Curt Schwarz, USAF, serving in Afghanistan, and Capt. Chris Ballard, US Army, who will deploy there this September.

Service was a major theme at the 9^th Annual Francis Currey Day in the Town of Fallsburg. Billed “A Celebration of Freedom,” the event honors the service of Hurleyville's hometown hero and Medal of Honor recipient Francis S. Currey by honoring all of those who serve their country and their community.

Representatives from all levels of government were on hand to honor that service, including Representative Chris Gibson (R-20) and Chris White on behalf of Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-22). Special recognition was given to the late Robert C. "Bob" Cole of Loch Sheldrake, US Army veteran and past Chief of the Hurleyville Fire Department, which was received by his family. 

In his remarks, Town of Fallsburg Supervisor Steven Vegliante acknowledged another, more recent passing in the community: 14-year-old Dylan Smith, who drowned last Monday.

“We do this today as a community in mourning,” said Vegliante. “...As Americans, as citizens of the Town of Fallsburg, we have to look at everything that's good about our lives here. We have to look at what's good about about being an American, being free.”

Francis S. Currey himself was not in attendence as he was resting up before cataract surgery. He sent word that he is looking forward to being at next year's Francis S. Currey Day, the 10^th annual.

A massive flag flies above the 9^th Annual Francis Currey Day at Morningside Park. Saturday saw Independence Day celebrations and community events all over Sullivan County.

Tom Roseo of the Rockland House drives his 1969 Pontiac GTO in Roscoe's parade. The procession included local restaurants, service vehicles, and a class of fly fishing students.

Betty Grossman greets you with a smile and a flag as you walk from the parade over to the craft fair. Grossman drove the last vehicle in Roscoe's parade.

The date may have changed, but the celebration remained the same.

Al Etkin (left), Army Veteran and former Director of the Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency, and Robert Longo, Air Force Veteran and retired Fallsburg Art Teacher, sit together on stage at the 9^th Annual Francis Currey Day.

Veterans and representatives from all levels of government attended the 9^th Annual Francis Currey Day in Fallsburg on Saturday.