Members of New York State Police Troop C gathered Friday for the troop’s annual Memorial Day ceremony honoring members who died in the line of duty. (Photos from New York State Police)

UNADILLA - As the nation marks Memorial Day, members of the local New York State Police Troop C are remembering 19 troopers who died in the line of duty, honoring what officials described as their “service and selflessness.”

Troop C held its annual Memorial Day ceremony Friday morning, with Major Lucas Shuta, the troop commander, welcoming officials and families to a public ceremony.

“Today’s ceremony serves as a reminder to us all of the brevity of life and the importance of honoring those who gave their lives in the pursuit of service to this state and to this country,” Shuta said.

The ceremony included the singing of the national anthem, an invocation, the laying of a wreath, a reading of the names, a moment of silence, a rifle volley, Taps and “Amazing Grace” performed by bagpipers.

Shuta said the annual ceremony is held to honor members of the New York State Police who died in the line of duty and to recognize “The sacrifices they made in service to the people of the State of New York, to this agency and to this honorable profession.”

“It is important to remember them not only as friends and colleagues but as members of the New York State Police who showed an unwavering devotion to duty and an unyielding commitment to their sworn oath,” he said.

This year’s ceremony also marked the 16th anniversary of the death of Trooper Jill E. Mattice. Her parents, Jeff and Karen Farrar, presented the ceremonial wreath in honor of deceased Troop C members.

“The laying of a wreath at a memorial site or event is a time-honored traditional practice and a tribute toward those heroes who have fallen,” Shuta said. “It is representative of life, bravery and peace, and we carry on that tradition today.”

Troop C paid tribute to Cpl. Harold C. Mattice, Trooper Ernest M. Simpson, Sgt. John H. Lockhart, Trooper Richard L. Hedges, Trooper Milton Ratner, Investigator Bryant F. Stickles, Trooper Kenneth B. Knapp, Trooper Robert V. Conklin, Cpl. Arthur M. Diffendale, Trooper Patrick F. O’Hara, Trooper Richard T. Juna, Capt. Samuel M. Rowe, Trooper Robert M. Semrov, Investigator Ricky J. Parisian, Trooper David C. Brinkerhoff, Trooper Jill E. Mattice, Trooper Christopher G. Skinner, Trooper Edward T. Kiluk and Trooper Steven P. Bilodeau.

“While Memorial Day is a day of honor and reverence to all deceased members of law enforcement and the military, today we pay special tribute to the members of Troop C who made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of their duty,” he said,“These troopers will forever share the everlasting traits of service and selflessness.”

Shuta said it remains the duty and responsibility of those gathered to ensure the fallen are never forgotten.

“As we gather here this morning, we remember and honor the following 19 troopers as an everlasting testimony to their devotion to duty, sense of responsibility and heroism,” he said.

The ceremony also recognized several former Troop C members who passed since last year’s observance, including Trooper Jeffrey Clifford, Sgt. and Station Commander Stephen Fessenden, Zone Sgt. Gary Whitehead, Investigator Edward Lenihan, Investigator James Eisenberg, Senior Investigator William Bean, Senior Investigator Ricky Charles, Richard Barnes and Grace Stevens, a clerk.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families,” Shuta said.

In his closing remarks, the Major also said Memorial Day is not only a time to remember sacrifice, but also to reflect on the lives and legacies of those being honored.

“Let us take comfort in knowing their legacy lives on in the hearts, minds and actions of their family and their extended State Police family. They were peacekeepers, protectors and public servants and will forever remain an inspiration to us all.”

The ceremony concluded with thanks to the non-sworn staff at Troop C and those who participated in the program, including the Edward P. Maloney Memorial Pipe Band, the New York State Police Ceremonial Mounted Unit, the national anthem singers, the bugler and those who rang the Memorial Bell.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for your attendance here this morning and for taking the time to honor our fallen heroes. I would ask that you keep in your hearts your fellow troopers, police officers, firefighters, health care professionals and military personnel who are routinely putting the lives of others before their own,” he said.