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The annual Watchfire event, held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse is in jeopardy this year. The Central New York (CNY) Veterans Recognition Foundation, which has organized the event for the past two years, announced it can no longer support the Watchfire due to financial constraints and the immense volunteer effort required. The event, traditionally held around Memorial Day, involves the burning of thousands of retired American flags to honor U.S. soldiers and veterans.
Rick Keyes, chairman of the CNY Veterans Recognition Foundation, stated that the organization "resigned" from organizing the event last summer. "At this point, there is no successor," Keyes said. The Watchfire, which began in the 1980s, was initially coordinated by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 103 but was paused from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event costs approximately $20,000 to organize and requires thousands of volunteer hours. Rising insurance costs, environmental concerns, and logistical challenges have further complicated efforts to sustain the Watchfire. The ceremony, which attracts thousands of attendees, is a powerful tribute to fallen service members, using a large fire to symbolize the military tradition of guiding lost comrades back to their unit.
Local veterans groups and community leaders are actively seeking a new sponsor to continue the tradition, but no successor has been confirmed yet. The CNY Veterans Recognition Foundation encourages supporters and potential sponsors to contact them for more information.
The Watchfire remains a significant event for the community, offering a chance to honor those who have served and sacrificed for the nation. Despite the challenges, there is strong interest in finding a way to keep the tradition alive.