Gospel Tabernacle honors veterans, holds fifth annual event

The fifth annual Fred Forsythe Memorial Veteran’s Day brunch was held at Coudersport Gospel Tabernacle on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Approximately 50 people gathered for fellowship and to honor members of the armed forces.

“As a veteran you fulfilled the call, wherever and whenever,” said organizer Darlene Forsythe. “For the greater good and a deeper purpose you defended the nation’s benefits, blessings and responsibilities.”

The brunch remembers Fred Forsythe, Darlene Forsythe’s late husband, who was a staunch supporter of the military. A charter boat captain and maritime business owner, Fred Forsythe hosted fishing trips for veterans with PTSD and other ailments.

Materials remembering Fred Forsythe were on display at the event. The Forsythe’s son Jake was a National Guard member who suffered an injury and PTSD, as did Darlene’s father, Wilfred L. Smith. Smith saw combat in WWII and “carried survivor’s guilt the rest of his life,” said Darlene.

“Your service counted back then and it matters today,” she told the crowd. “As long as I’m here, I’ll make sure this event happens.”

Reflections and original music were provided by Richard Cowburn, who spoke about his experience as a Vietnam veteran.

Richard Cowburn provided reflections and music at the veteran's brunch on Nov. 7. “The day I got out — that was a long ride home,” he said. “Nobody met me; we were not popular.”

David Castano, president of the Potter County Historical Society, was the featured speaker.

He gave an overview of the history of Potter County military involvement beginning with the Revolutionary War. There were no veterans from this war, as the county had not yet formed; Revolutionary War veterans would be the first white people to settle the area.

Castano noted that county residents learned about the War of 1812 from Native Americans.

“We can account for 24 men that took up arms from Potter County,” he said, noting that one local man volunteered for the Mexican American War in 1845 and that there were so many volunteers to fight on the Union side in the Civil War that many “were sent home and then they walked over the border and joined New York State regiments.”

Castano spoke of local service in conflicts up to the present day, and mentioned the many military-related items previously owned by locals that are on display at the Historical Society.

“These stories, these artifacts — they tell us things,” he said.

He also recalled WWII veteran Charlie Booth, who worked at the Coudersport Post Office; Sam George, former local teacher; and Laverne Majors of the highway department.

“You just see these regular people and have no idea what they did,” he said. “(George) went through over 300 days of combat, (Majors) had only one arm. It makes you think: What would I do?”

Resident Mary Peterson served as a Navy corpsman in the mid-1980s.

“It taught me a lot,” she said. “I was a hellion as a kid but I wouldn’t go back and change it for anything. I believe every kid should serve at least four years.”

Tom Myers and county director of Veteran’s Affairs Mike Pepper offered prayers at the event. The meal was catered by Grit & Grace Co. of Coudersport.

Gospel Tabernacle honors veterans, holds fifth annual event

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