The Veterans Council of Seneca Falls is pleased to announce the Year 2018 schedule of events to celebrate Memorial Day in the Town of Seneca Falls.
Flags will be placed on Veterans’ graves in the local cemeteries on Saturday, May 26th, at 9:00 AM. The public is invited to join members of local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in this activity.
The parade will be held on Monday, May 28th, starting at 9:15 AM at the Mynderse Academy parking lot on Troy Street and proceeding to Veterans’ Park (formerly Academy Square). Marchers should report to
Mark Fifield, Parade Coordinator, at 8:45 AM. The parade will be led by the Veterans of All Wars. Poppy Prince and Princess, winners of an essay contest for Seneca Falls fourth grade students on “What Memorial Day Means to Me,” are Michael Murray and Cailette Sawtelle of Seneca Falls.
Parade Grand Marshal will be Bert Serling, a lifelong resident of Seneca Falls. A Veteran, Serling served in the US Army Field Artillery in Dachau, Germany in the 1950’s. After receiving a BA Degree from Alfred University, he achieved a Law degree from the University of Buffalo Law School and has practiced law in the Seneca Falls area from 1956 until the present. Active in the community, Serling has served in the Rotary, the Seneca County Bar Association, the Chamber of Commerce and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Gloria, married for 62 years, are the parents of three: Steven, Mark and Sharon and are grandparents of six.
Ceremonies honoring the Dead of All Wars will be held at 10:00 AM in Veterans’ Park. Master of Ceremonies will be Art Evans, Past Commander of American Legion Post 366. Invocation and Benediction will be delivered by Pastor Val White of Seneca Falls United Methodist Church. The Gettysburg Address will be delivered by Keenan Butler and Matt Ozog, both Seniors at Mynderse Academy.
Keynote Speaker will be Pam Helming, Senator for the 54th District of the New York State Senate which includes Seneca Falls. A graduate of Hiram College, she worked in the private sector for 30 years and then has held positions in town government prior to being elected to the New York State Senate in 2016. Senator Helming and her husband, Gary, reside in Canandaigua and are the parents of two children: Catherine and Evan.
At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the public is invited for refreshments at The American Legion located at 48 State Street, provided through the courtesy of The American Legion. The VFW, located at 47 Fall Street, will also hold an open house.
In case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held indoors at The American Legion hall. For details, phone The American Legion at (315) 568-8091. For further information, contact Julie Scott at (315) 604-1396 or The American Legion at (315) 568-8091.
