Published: November 10, 2008 08:06 pm      

VETERANS DAY: Lewiston family has good cause to commemorate the event

He’s a bit of a rebel, that Albert Hoysradt III.

He could have joined the Navy like his great-grandfather, grandfather, father and uncle. Instead, he joined the Army and his grandfather takes the rebellion good-naturedly.

“It would have been nice if my grandson had joined the Navy, but he just wanted to do something different,” said James Hoysradt.

Albert, the fourth generation of the Lewiston family to serve in the military, will be heading to Iraq for his second mission in January. His uncle, James Hoysradt II, is currently serving his third tour in Iraq as a fighter pilot.

Veterans Day is a special day for the Hoysradts who celebrate over 50 years of family service to the U.S. military thus far. Not only do they have two men currently who are seeing action in the Middle East, but Albert III’s dad, Albert II, recently retired from 21 years as a ballistic missile tech chief. His grandfather, James Hoysradt, was a Navy radio operator in the late ‘50s. And young Albert’s great grandfather, the original Albert Hoysradt, was a pharmacist on the Navy submarines during World War II.

As a family, they understand the sacrifice required to serve in the military and look forward to an end to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Hopefully this war will end in peace and our troops will come home with honor,” Irene said, adding, “every time I see a serviceman anywhere, I always tell them thank you.”

There will be many opportunities today for area residents to express their gratitude to those who have served or are serving in the military.

The events include:

n 11 a.m., Pine Ave. and Hyde Park at the new Veterans Memorial site. Dave Fabrizio, chairman of the Veterans Memorial Commission, will be the master of ceremonies for an observance featuring the laying of wreaths, bagpipe and concert band music and an honor guard salute by the Lt. John P. Bobo Detachment 118 of the Marine Corps League.

n 11 a.m., American Legion Post 1451, 6525 Ward Road, Sanborn. A Veterans Day ceremony recognizing all veterans will be held at the post.

n 11 a.m. Veterans Park Memorial Wall, 1715 Bedell Road, Grand Island. A ceremony will be held by the VFW Post 9249, Cub Scout Pack 630 and South Park High School Junior ROTC.

n 11 a.m. Veteran Heights Park, Town of Niagara. The Town of Niagara Lions and Lioness Clubs will be hosting their annual Veterans Day ceremony including a laying of a wreath and a live gun salute.

n 11 a.m. Academy Park Veterans Memorial on Center Street at Portage Road. The Village of Lewiston’s annual Veterans Day ceremony will include local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars participants.

n 3:15 p.m.., Schoellkopf Health Center Activities Room, 621 10th St. Members of the VFW Down River Post 7487, veterans’ families and Schoellkopf Health Center residents and staff will hold a ceremony to recognize the nine military veterans in residence at the center.