As restrictions lift, Memorial Day services return

FINGER LAKES--COVID-19 gathering restrictions have been relaxed in New York which will allow a number of Memorial Day commemorations and services to remember fallen military service members. Additional festivities are planned throughout the region to mark the unofficial start of summer. Vaccination numbers in state and the region continue to improve, and vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear masks unless specified by the business, circumstance or space they are in.
In Dundee, there will be a Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m. May 31 starting at Dundee Central School. Supported by the Bradley Jessop Post 660 American Legion Post and the Dundee Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post #8649, the parade begins at 10 a.m. and will be led by New York State Troopers and local Yates County Sheriff cars.
Participants will include the Dundee Volunteer Fire Department, Tyrone and Himrod Fire Departments and other local emergency departments while the Dundee Central School marching band are expected to debut their new uniforms.
Following the parade a ceremony will be held at Seneca Street Park that will feature an opening prayer, the playing of the National Anthem and God Bless America by the DCS Band, Marine Sgt. Nick Dixon will serve as the guest speaker, a ceremony will be held for the placing of the wreath, Taps will be played by Patrick Dunham and then a final rifle salute.
In Penn Yan, the Memorial Day ceremony will be held Monday, May 31, beginning at 11 a.m. at the old courthouse lawn. American Legion Post 355 will convene a color guard to play Taps and hold a firing salute. Guest speakers will join them to honor all veterans and while the ability to hold a parade was restricted, the color guard plans to lead veterans in attendance that would like to walk up the sidewalk from the village office up Main Street to the courthouse lawn.
In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will be conducted at the Johnson Costello Post 355 Pavilion located at 2001 Himrod Road, Penn Yan. "We encourage all veterans to attend the ceremony so they can be recognized for their service," said a release issued by the Johnson Costello American Legion Post 355. A luncheon will follow, prepared by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 355, rain or shine.
The town of Torrey will hold its Memorial Day service at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. The outdoor event will be at the corner of Main and Cornelia Street in Dresden. Following the program, there will be a parade to the cemetery, where a service and gun salute will be conducted by members of American Legion Post 1571. Organizers request that you bring lawn chairs.
Hammondsport will not be holding a parade but the color guard will honor those at area cemeteries. A speaker will present at 10 a.m. at the village honor roll.
In Montour Falls, a ceremony will be held with the American Legion Post 676 honor guard at 9:30 a.m., Monday at Shequaga Falls.
Just outside of Odessa, Post 676 will hold an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Veteran's Memorial Park on Route 228. The guest speaker will be Post 676 member and Navy veteran Tony Veilleux and will include a choir and possibly a local high school band.
Watkins Glen is not planning a formal ceremony this year as COVID restrictions had limited gathering events and were lifted too late.
The Dundee Flying Club Memorial Day Breakfast will also take place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and for $7 participants will get a breakfast with pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. The breakfast will take place at ReDunn Field.