Poughkeepsie… Memorial Day is Monday, May 26th.  Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus and Veterans Service Agency Director Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret) ask all  Dutchess County residents to remember the sacrifices of veterans who have died in service to our country.     Residents are encouraged to participate in the many Memorial Day ceremonies and parades taking place across the county and take time to pause for the Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. in honor of those who have died to defend our freedom.

County Executive Steinhaus said, “Memorial Day is day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.   I encourage every Dutchess County resident, whether it is by participating in community observances or taking the time to pause for the Moment of Remembrance, to honor all who have sacrificed for our country.”

The National Moment of Remembrance is an act of national unity to honor America’s fallen. All citizens, alone or with family and friends, wherever they are at 3 p.m., are asked to pause for a Moment of reflection honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The goal is to put “Memorial” back into Memorial Day.  A Gallup poll indicated that only 28 percent of Americans realize the true meaning of the holiday. 

The Moment of Remembrance is not meant to replace traditional Memorial Day ceremonies or events. It is an act of remembrance to celebrate the lives of those who died and an opportunity for citizens to rededicate themselves to giving back to America in their memory.

The Dutchess County Veterans Service Agency reached out to local municipalities and community organizations and has compiled a listing of ceremonies and parades happening over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.    Event listing follows below with contact information for further inquiries.

“The true purpose of Memorial Day is to honor those who have died for our country.  My hope is people will take the time to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country,” said Dutchess County Veterans Service Agency Director Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret).

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2008 Memorial Day
Community Observances
(Based on information provided by municipalities and community organizations.)

Amenia:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 11:00am
 Ceremony at Fountain Square
 Hosted by American Legion & VFW Posts
 Contact: Chris Pelkey @ 518-789-0814

Beacon:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at  9:30am
 Parade from City Town Hall past Memorial Hall, stop by bridge for ceremony, return to Memorial Hall @ 10:45am. 
 Main Ceremony will be held at 11:00am
 Hosted by American Legion Beacon Post 203
 Contact: Luis “Chico” Humphreys @ 569-1494

Beekman:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 9:30am
 Parade from Clove Excavators on Route 216 to Beekman Town Hall
 Ceremony to follow at Town Hall
 Hosted by Town of Beekman
 Contact: Virginia Ward @ 724-3500 X 221

Dover:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 9:30am
 Parade from Dover Elementary School to Valley View Veteran’s Cemetery on Nellie Hill Road
 Hosted by American Legion Post 1949
 Contact: Sandra Todriff, Commander, 877-9663

Village of Fishkill:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:30am
 Parade from Church St to Monument Square (Broad & Main St.)
 Memorial Service to follow at 11:00am at Monument Square. 
 Hosted by Village of Fishkill & VFW Post
 Contact: Village Clerk @ 897-4430
 
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 12 noon
 Fishkill Rural Cemetery
 Memorial Service at Dubois Chapel on Cemetery grounds
 Hosted by Fishkill Rural Cemetery Board of Directors
 Contact: Cemetery Office @ 896-6227

East Fishkill:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 11am
 Celebration at the Veteran's Memorial at the Junction of Route 82 and Beekman Rd. (CR 9) in Hopewell Junction.
 Sponsored by The American Legion Manny Bacon Post #1758 in conjunction with the East Fishkill Community Chorus,
     the East Fishkill  Police Department, the East Fishkill Fire Company and the East Fishkill Parks Department.
 The ceremony will start with a march from the East Fishkill Community Center at 10:45am.
 Contact: Bonnie Wiegard at 845-226-4717 or 226-6670

Hyde Park:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at  10:00am
 Parade from Hyde Park Cinemas to Town Hall
 Ceremony to follow at Town Hall
 Hosted by Town of Hyde Park
 Contact: Diane Cullen @ 229-8086 X4

Town of Millbrook:
 Monday, May 26, 2008,
 Parade & Ceremony at Memorial Park, Bangall
 Hosted by Stanford American Legion
 Contact Bill Stanton

Village of Pawling:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:00am
 Parade & Ceremony at Monuments on Charles Colman Blvd.
 Hosted by American Legion Post 215

Pine Plains:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 10:30am
 Parade from Firehouse to Town Clock to Evergreen Cemetery to Legion Home
 Hosted by VFW Post 5518 & American Legion Post 426
 Contact George Keeler 518-398-7391

Pleasant Valley:
 Monday, May 26, 2008 at 11:00am
 Ceremony at Veteran Memorial Site, Intersection of Route 44 & South Ave.
 Hosted by American Legion Post 739 Contact Bruce Donegan @ 635-2626

Town & City of Poughkeepsie: 
 Friday, May 23, 2008 at 8:45am
 Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office - Recognition of fallen officers ceremony
 150 N. Hamilton St. Poughkeepsie
 Contact: Sheriff’s Office @ 486-3800

 Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 2:00pm
 Parade from Montgomery Street to Soldier’s Fountain
 Ceremony to follow at Soldier’s Fountain
 Hosted by American Legion Post 37
 Contact: Tony Leo @ 724-5933

 Monday, May 26, 2008, 9:30am
 Ceremony at Dutchess County War Memorial
 located at Corner of Main St. & Raymond Ave. in the Town of Poughkeepsie
 Hosted by Dutchess County War Memorial Committee  
 Contact: Sakima Brown @ 849-9266
 
 Monday, May 26, 2008, 10:00am
 Ceremony
 50 Legion Road
 Hosted by American Legion Post 1466
 Contact Hugo Fisher @ 471-5986

 Monday, May 26, 2008, 12noon
 Ceremony & Luncheon
 55 Overlook Road
 Hosted by the American Legion Post 1302
 Contact Frank Williams @ 563-0416

 Monday, May 26, 2008, 2:00pm
 Ceremony
 Manor at Woodside, Academy St.  Poughkeepsie
 Hosted by American Legion Post 37
 Contact: Elva Girton @ 297-0367
 
Red Hook: 
 Monday, May 26, 2008, 10:00am
 Parade & Ceremony at Memorial Park
 Hosted by VFW Post 7765
 Contact:William Moore @ 758-8175
 
Rhinebeck:
 Monday, May 26, 2008, 10:30am
 Parade from Mulberry St, E. Market St, & Route 9 to Rhinebeck Cemetery
 Ceremony to follow at Rhinebeck Cemetery
 Hosted by American Legion Post 429
 Contact Wayne Rifenburgh @ 876-7376

Town of Wappinger:
 Saturday, May 24, 2008, 11:00am
 Ceremony at New Hamburg Yacht Club
 
 Monday, May 26, 2008
 9:00am  Parade from Wappingers Rural Cemetery to St. Mary’s Church to Meiser Park
 11:30am Ceremony at Chelsea Yacht Club
 01:00pm Ceremony at Hughsonville Fire District
 02:00pm Ceremony at  Schlathaus Park
 Contact: Christopher Colsey, Supervisor, 297-2744