NEWBURGH – Despite the torrential rain on Sunday in Newburgh, congregants of St. Mary’s Church, led by its youth group, held a service at UNICO Park to honor fallen American soldiers.

Nazar Naqvi remembers his son, who died in Afthanistan

The tree will stand as a memorial through the holiday season

The service included the dedication of a Christmas tree, adorned with ornaments with the names and home states of the victims from seven states and the District of Columbia.

Event organizer Pamela Krizek said the ceremony was very inspiring.

“Some people might think, ‘well, this is such a simple thing to do.’ It’s a white wooden ornament hanging on a tree with a person’s name on it. And yet, that holds the memories of that person, the life of that person. Sometimes the simplest things you are the most meaningful and touch the families and begin part of the healing process.”

The event included speeches by Pamela Schembri, the author of The Veteran’s Day Visitor and other children’s books, Reverend William Scafidi of the Church of St. Mary’s, and Nazar Naqvi. 

Naqvi’s son, Mohsin, was serving with the Army’s 1st Battalion in Afghanistan when he was killed in combat recently. Each spoke of the importance of remembering those who have died in service of our country.