Corporal Elmer Kidd laid to rest at Sampson

On Friday, November 9th Corporal Elmer Kidd was laid to rest with full military honors at the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Romulus New York. Corporal Elmer Kidd was declared missing in action at the age of 22 following the battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Recent advances in DNA testing enabled the positive identification of Cpl. Kidd and the return of his remains to his family and a grateful Nation. Corporal Kidd’s remains arrived at Hancock Airport in Syracuse with military honors on Tuesday and were greeted by his 80-year-old sister, Alberta Stuck. A native of Seneca Falls, Elmer Kidd served his country with pride and distinction, receiving numerous military decorations and honors, including a Purple Heart, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp and National Defense Medal. “Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery stands as a monument to the courage, commitment and dedication of all veterans and will serve as a final resting place for Cpl. Elmer Kidd, a brave soldier who sacrificed his life for our country. It is my belief that we have no greater obligation than to honor and thank our veterans for their service to our Nation, whether in times of peace or in times of war,” said Senator Mike Nozzolio. Just as our brave soldiers like Corporal Kidd recognized their duty to honor and serve their Country, we too must recognize our duty as Americans to honor the profound sacrifices they made so that we could live our lives in freedom.” Dedicated in July 2011, the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery is the final resting place for our veterans and their families, and is located on the hallowed ground of the former Sampson Naval and Air Force bases, where over one million sailors and airmen trained in preparation for battle to defend the United States of America. This resting place is in Romulus, New York, a tremendously beautiful setting on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, and within the shadow of the nationally recognized birthplace of Memorial Day in Waterloo. “Together we proudly remember the sacrifices of citizens like Corporal Kidd, who when their country called, answered that call, both here at home and in far off places around the world,” said New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio. “And should anyone ever ask you where can we find American heroes: please tell them that just a few short miles from you, in the heart of the Finger Lakes, there is a place where heroes are gathered to be known forever as Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery.” For more information on the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery contact Bill Yale, Executive Director of the Sampson Cemetery at 607-379-0197 or visit the website at www.sampsonveteranscemetery.com.