A fallen hero was remembered Sunday at Walden’s 14th annual Flag Day ceremony.
Dominic Winum, a Walden native who was killed Feb. 26, 2021 while on duty with the Stanley (VA) Police Department, is being honored in his hometown with a scholarship in his memory. The first two recipients of the Nick Winum Scholarship were on hand, Sunday afternoon, during the ceremony at Walden’s Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Nat Winum, a regular at the annual ceremony, along with brothers Brant and Karl, introduced the two winners of the scholarship named for their late brother. High school students Brennan Donachie and Julia Wilson read their award-winning essays on patriotism during then ceremony.
“Throughout my high school years, I was battered for being the one patriotic kid. I would wear American flag t-shirts to school and express my views on America’s amazing nation,” Donachie said. “One of the best memories I have throughout my high school years was asking for one gift on my 14th birthday, a big, bright American flag. Thankfully, I received that gift and it still stands in magnificent glory on my front porch today.”
Donachie said his volunteer work at Grace Community Church had brought him into contact with many West Point Cadets with whom he’d had the honor to pray.
“I rejoice that, one day, I will be able to meet and speak with the brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this nation, including Officer Winum,” Donachie said. “Until then, I have the privilege to serve this country as an American citizen, proudly knowing I serve alongside a million different patriots.”
Wilson, in her essay, said she questioned why some of her classmates had refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in school, only to get a shrug in the shoulder.
“I recall the time we had during spirit week when one of the dress up days was USA day. I wore a bizarre outfit, proudly dressed from head to toe in red, white and blue. Many of my friends seemed disappointed with what I wore,” Wilson recalled. “Rather than feeling shame, I held high and continued to show my patriotic support without a second thought. This is how I plan to live my life, with my head up high for my country without letting second opinions drag me down.”
The 30-minute ceremony, hosted by Derrik Wynkoop of Walden Savings Bank, also featured performances by the Valley Central Pep Band and a demonstration of flag folding etiquette by Scout Troops 31 and 33 and Packs 32, 125 and 225.
William Kirnan, representing Town Supervisor Brian Maher, asked the audience to remember Veterans Steve Nicoli and Marcus “Mickey” Millspaugh who had passed away since last year.
Walden Mayor John Ramos recalled the crew of a military aircraft that crashed last July in Mississippi. Some of those killed were stationed locally at the Stewart Air National Guard base.
Wynkoop noted that Walden is the first Orange County community to host a regular Flag Day Ceremony. This year’s ceremony was held under threatening skies, but the rain held off.