FINGER LAKES--Area veteran organizations are planning ceremonies and events to mark the annual day that America honors those who have lost their lives while defending the United States of America.
Yates County will recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice with several events. On Saturday, May 27, Dundee’s VFW will host a lunchtime chicken BBQ. On Monday, May 29, a parade will kick off from the Dundee high school at 10 a.m., weather dependent. The newly established EMS Corps from Yates County is expected to participate in the parade as are the band, various fire departments, a Color Guard presented by the Dundee VFW and American Legion, as well as civil war reenactors.
Also in Yates County, on May 29, at 10 a.m., a parade will step off from North Main St., Penn Yan, and proceed to the Old Court House Lawn, where community members are invited to a ceremony featuring guest speaker Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Joining Tenney will be Grand Marshall Andy Swarthout and Master of Ceremonies the Hon. W. Patrick Falvey. Swarthout is a Vietnam War Veteran and member of the VFW Post 745 and American Legion Post 355. Falvey served as a First Lieutenant in the Army in Vietnam. At the Court House, the Color Guard will do a rifle salute followed by taps to close the service. Veterans will be recognized during the service. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Johnson Costello Post 355 pavilion (2001 Himrod Road, Penn Yan). A luncheon will follow rain or shine at the pavilion prepared by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 355.
The Town of Torrey will hold its annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the gazebo on the corner of Main Street and Cornelia Street in Dresden. Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike will be the guest speaker. Liesl Leonard will lead the Penn Yan Middle School Band. Jason Cook will read the Roll of Honor. 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 and Yates County VFW Post 745. J. Jeffrey Stempien and Philip Bracht will play taps at the cemetery. After the cemetery service there will be a “drive through” chicken barbecue on Cornelia Street by the Dresden United Methodist Church.
Hammondsport will remember and honor veterans at the Veteran’s Honor Roll Memorial in the town square at which time a wreath will be placed. A small parade will ensue to the cemetery where a service will feature members of local scout troops, the school band, the Legion Color Guard, and special guest speaker Ann Covell. The festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. on May 29.
In Schuyler County, a service will be held at Shequaga Falls (109 S. Genesee Street, Montour Falls) at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 29. Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer will be the guest speaker. Messmer is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Army. He is also the guest speaker for the 11 a.m. service at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park (2558 Route 228, Catharine). Both events will feature military honors and a presentation of Taps by the Odessa American Legion Post 676.
Yates County will recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice with several events. On Saturday, May 27, Dundee’s VFW will host a lunchtime chicken BBQ. On Monday, May 29, a parade will kick off from the Dundee high school at 10 a.m., weather dependent. The newly established EMS Corps from Yates County is expected to participate in the parade as are the band, various fire departments, a Color Guard presented by the Dundee VFW and American Legion, as well as civil war reenactors.
Also in Yates County, on May 29, at 10 a.m., a parade will step off from North Main St., Penn Yan, and proceed to the Old Court House Lawn, where community members are invited to a ceremony featuring guest speaker Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Joining Tenney will be Grand Marshall Andy Swarthout and Master of Ceremonies the Hon. W. Patrick Falvey. Swarthout is a Vietnam War Veteran and member of the VFW Post 745 and American Legion Post 355. Falvey served as a First Lieutenant in the Army in Vietnam. At the Court House, the Color Guard will do a rifle salute followed by taps to close the service. Veterans will be recognized during the service. In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Johnson Costello Post 355 pavilion (2001 Himrod Road, Penn Yan). A luncheon will follow rain or shine at the pavilion prepared by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 355.
The Town of Torrey will hold its annual Memorial Day Service on Monday, May 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the gazebo on the corner of Main Street and Cornelia Street in Dresden. Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike will be the guest speaker. Liesl Leonard will lead the Penn Yan Middle School Band. Jason Cook will read the Roll of Honor. 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 and Yates County VFW Post 745. J. Jeffrey Stempien and Philip Bracht will play taps at the cemetery. After the cemetery service there will be a “drive through” chicken barbecue on Cornelia Street by the Dresden United Methodist Church.
Hammondsport will remember and honor veterans at the Veteran’s Honor Roll Memorial in the town square at which time a wreath will be placed. A small parade will ensue to the cemetery where a service will feature members of local scout troops, the school band, the Legion Color Guard, and special guest speaker Ann Covell. The festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. on May 29.
In Schuyler County, a service will be held at Shequaga Falls (109 S. Genesee Street, Montour Falls) at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 29. Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer will be the guest speaker. Messmer is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Army. He is also the guest speaker for the 11 a.m. service at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park (2558 Route 228, Catharine). Both events will feature military honors and a presentation of Taps by the Odessa American Legion Post 676.
