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).
# # #
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
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:
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