Poughkeepsie… Memorial Day is Monday, May 31st.  Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus and Veterans Service Agency Director Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret) encourage residents to remember the sacrifices of veterans who have died in service to our country and 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. 

“On Memorial Day, we remember the ultimate sacrifice of those who have died in service to our country, we say thank you to all those who have returned home, and we pray for those who are still abroad protecting our freedom.” said County Executive Steinhaus.  “I hope every Dutchess County resident will make the time to participate in one of the many community observances and stop to pause for the Moment of Remembrance, so we can all honor those 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.

Dutchess County Veterans Service Agency Director Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret). also encourages residents to tune in for the National Memorial Day Concert broadcast event to air on Sunday, May 30th at 8pm on PBS.    According to the PBS website,  this year's concert will feature acclaimed actors Dennis Haysbert and Gary Siniseas as they share the story of the final days in the life of PFC Charles Johnson, killed in Action while fighting in North Korea on June 12, 1953.  Charles Johnson was a native of Millbrook and a graduate of Arlington High School.   Charlie's high school buddy and fellow soldier, Donald Dingee, fought with Charlie and relates how his selfless actions on the battlefield saved Don's life and the lives of many in his platoon.  To learn more about the Charlie Johnson Legacy Project, visit http://forgottensoldier.info/.

“We are so proud of the men and women of Dutchess County who have stepped up to serve 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).

2010 Memorial Day
Community Observances
(Based on information provided by municipalities and community organizations.)

Listed by date, then alphabetically by municipality

Castle Point VA Hospital:    
      Friday May 28th, 2010, 2:00 P.M.
      Ceremony
      Castle point campus, River Memorial Garden
      Guest Speaker will be Lt. Col. David A. Jones, U.S. Military Academy
      Contact: Yvette Rodriguez @ 831-2000 ext. 5135

Hyde Park:
Sunday, May 30th at 2pm
USS Roosevelt Commanding Officer Robert B. Chadwick II
   will host a presentation on USS Roosevelt and its crew in the Wallace Center Auditorium
   at the FDR Home & Library at 2pm

Pawling:
           Monday May 31st, 2010, 10:00 A.M.
           Parade and Ceremony
           Pawling Memorials, Corner of East Main St. and Charles Coleman Blvd.
     Hosted by Hasler-Kamp, Post 215 American Legion of Pawling
     Contact: Commander Jerry  Christiansen @ 855-5274

Pleasant Valley:
     Monday May 31st, 2010, 11:00 A.M.
     Ceremony - Pleasant Valley Memorial Park
     Corner of Rt.44 and South Ave.
     Guest speaker will be Assemblyman Marc Molinaro
     Contact: John McNair @ 635-3598

Poughkeepsie:
      Monday May 31st, 2010, 9:30 A.M.
      Ceremony
      Dutchess County War Memorial-corner of Raymond Ave. and Main St.
      Guest Speaker will be Supervisor Pat Myers
      Hosted by the Dutchess County War Memorial Committee    
      Contact: Nelson Eddy Rivera @ 486-2060 

 Monday May 31st, 2010, 10:00 A.M.
Ceremony
The American Legion-50 Legion Rd.
Hosted by American Legion Post 1466
Contact: Commander Hugo Fischer Jr. @ 471-5986

Red Hook:
      Monday May 31st, 2010, 10:00 A.M.
      Parade
      Begins at Red Hook High School and ends at Memorial Square Park
      Followed by an Observance Ceremony and laying of wreaths
      Hosted by VFW Post 7765
      Contact: William Moore @ 758-8175

Rhinebeck:
Monday, May 31st, 2010 9:15 A.M.
Ceremonies followed by Parade
Ceremonies begin in the hamlet of Rhinecliff at 9:15 A.M.
Parade will begin at the corner of Mulberry St. and Platt Ave. located near
the Dutchess County Fairgrounds at 10:30 A.M.

Memorial Services at Rhinebeck Cemetery
Refreshments to be served at the Legion home on Mill St.
Guest speaker will be-Captain Daniel Drake, U.S. Army
Contact: Wayne Rifenburgh @ 876-7376 or 876-4429

Rhinecliff:
Monday, May 31st, 2010, 9:15 A.M.
Ceremony
Rhinecliff War Memorial-Intersection of Shatzell Ave. and Kelly St.
Hosted by the Rhinecliff Fire Department
Contact: Chief Bill Cotting @ 849-5223

Stanford:
  Monday May 31st, 2010, 9:00 A.M.
  Parade followed by Ceremonies
  Parade begins at the Grange Hall on Rt. 82 and ends at the Bangall   
  Monument in Bangall where the ceremonies will take place
  Hosted by The American Legion
  Contact: John Quinn @ 868-7742

Union Vale:
Monday, May 31st, 2010 9:00 A.M.
Ceremony
Union Vale Veterans Monument, on the green, just off of Rt.82 in the town of Union Vale 
 Hosted by the Union Vale Fire Company

Wappingers Falls:
Monday May 31st, 2010, 9:00 A.M.
Ceremonies
Start at Wappingers Rural Cemetery, proceed to St. Mary’s Cemetery
And finish up at the Meiser Homestead with refreshments
Hosted by VFW Post 5913 and American Legion Post 427
Contact: George Hemroth @ 297-9843 or Raymond Chase @ 297-2943