Memorial Day

Press Release:

St. Paul Lutheran School’s fifth- and sixth-grade classes and parents traveled to the Bath National Cemetery in Bath to participate in the laying of flags on all 20,000 grave sites for the commemoration of Memorial Day. 

They joined the local fifth grade class that has been participating for the last 43 years. Their teacher, Mrs. Dunn, has a personal connection to the cemetery, as her grandfather, Vernon Rowe who was in the Navy, and her grandmother Pearl Jean Rowe, are buried there. 

The students identified the Civil War, Spanish War, Korean War,  World War I and II sites among others including Medal of Honor recipients. All felt overwhelmed and honored to participate in this special day.

Here is a round-up of all of The Batavian's Memorial Day coverage.

Links:

• Photos: Memorial Day ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Batavia, by Howard Owens
• Photos: Memorial Day Tribute to Vietnam Veterans at Genesee County Park, by Steve Ognibene
  Photos: Honoring World War I Memorial at Williams Park, by Steve Ognibene
• Photos: Batavia Memorial Day Parade, by Steve Ognibene
• Photos: Memorial Day service at the War Memorial at St. Jerome's, by Howard Owens
• Photos: Memorial Day services at Veterans Administration Medical Center, by Steve Ognibene
• Photos: Memorial Day in Le Roy, by Nick Serrata
• Photos: Memorial Day in Bergen, by Nick Serrata
• Photos: Memorial Day Ceremony in Elba, by Laura Lufts
• Photos: Memorial Day Parade in Corfu, by Howard Owens

Here is a link to all of the photos taken by Howard Owens, where you may purchase prints, including a number of unpublished photos.  If you are a member of Early Access Pass, send Howard an email at howard@thebatavian.com and request a high-resolution copy of any photo for free. Please specify as best you can exactly which photo you wish to receive in full resolution.  If you're not yet a member of Early Access Pass, join now and then make your request.

Photos by Howard Owens

Residents, scouts, and veterans gathered in the Village Park in Elba to honor local fallen heroes today, Memorial Day.

Photos by Laura Lufts.

Residents and veterans of Bergen held a parade and ceremony today honoring local fallen heroes.

Photos by Nicholas Serrata.

Residents and veterans in Le Roy honored fallen heroes today with a parade down Main Street and a ceremony in Trigon Park at the Soldiers Memorial.

Photos by Nicholas Serrata.

Veterans gathered outside the V.A. Medical Center to honor the nation's fallen for Memorial Day.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

The County's war dead, along with local veterans who served during past conflicts and died during the past year, were honored in a ceremony today at the War Memorial at St. Jerome's, located at Bank and Washington in Batavia. For each service member who passed away in the previous year, a flag was placed at the base of the War Memorial.

Photos by Howard Owens.

Batavia's annual Memorial Day Parade followed its traditional route down Main Street from Eastown Plaza to Bank Street this morning.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Various veteran organizations in Genesee County honoring the 35 Batavians at the W.W.I. memorial in Williams Park this morning.  More continued coverage throughout the day honoring fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Members of the VFW Chapter 1602, American Legion 332 and Glenn S. Loomis VVA 193, met this morning at Genesee County Park to honor Vietnam Veterans on Memorial Day.  The guest speaker was Dan Burling, VFW post surgeon, Alexander VFW 6239.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Photos by Steve Ognibene

Area veterans gathered at the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Monument, also known as the Upton Monument, in Batavia this morning for a placing of a wreath on the monument in honor of Genesee County's war dead.

It is one of several Memorial Day services today.  The Batavian will have more coverage of the various parades and ceremonies.

Photos by Howard Owens

Residents from throughout Western New York gathered in Pembroke on Sunday to honor the nation's fallen heroes in a ceremony at the WNY National Cemetery.

Photos by Nicholas Serrata 

Tomorrow, Memorial Day, is the day our nation honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives to help secure and protect our rights to individual liberty, to hold our own beliefs and define our own lives.

Here's a reminder of ceremonies and events taking place in Genesee County for Memorial Day:

• 7 a.m. – Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Genesee County Park, sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 193.
• 8 a.m. – Williams Park (Batavia) W.W.I Memorial. This memorial honors the 35 Batavians who gave their lives in WORLD WAR I.
• 8:30 a.m. - Batavia VA, at the main flagpole, sponsored by the VAMC.
• 8:45 a.m. (approx.) - NYS Veterans Home, at the main flagpole, sponsored by the NYS Veterans Home.
• 9:30 a.m. – Veterans Plot on Harvester Avenue. This memorial honors all war dead of all wars in Elmwood and St. Joseph’s Cemeteries.
• 10 a.m. - Upton Monument. This monument honors the dead of the Civil War, and all wars since.
• 10:30 a.m. – UMMC Jerome Center. This is the site of the Genesee County War Memorial, honoring all war dead from Genesee County.

Town ceremonies and parades:

• ALEXANDER: Ceremony to take place at the Alexander Village Cemetery (a.k.a. Railroad Avenue Cemetery) at 11 a.m.
• BATAVIA:  Parade starts at 9:30 a.m., beginning at the East Town Plaza, traveling west along Main Street and ending at Alva Place.
• BERGEN:  Ceremony to take place at Hickory Park at 9:30 a.m.
• BYRON:  Ceremony to take place at Byron Cemetery at 11 a.m.
• CORFU:  Parade at 12 p.m. from Corfu Fire Hall on Route 33 to the Intermediate School on Route 77.  Ceremony immediately following the parade.
• ELBA:  Ceremony at Maple Lawn Cemetery at 10 a.m.
• LEROY:  Parade at 10:30 a.m. from the American Legion to Trigon Park with a ceremony at Trigon Park at 11 a.m. immediately following the parade.

Press Release:

The following is the schedule of events and activities being conducted this Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 by Botts-Fiorito Post #576, American Legion:

7 a.m. -  Placement of flags on Main Street (Commander and small work detail)

7:30 a.m. - Memorial ceremony for deceased veterans at St. Francis Cemetery (Color Guard only participates with the Knights of Columbus at Mass).

8 a.m. - Memorial ceremony for deceased veterans at Machpelah Cemetery (Color Guard and Firing Squad)

8:45 a.m. - Firing Squad join the Color Guard at St. Francis Cemetery for Ceremony at Veteran's Monument in Cemetery.

9:45 a.m. - Form up at the American Legion parking lot for Annual Memorial Parade.

10:30 a.m. - Parade "Steps off"

11 a.m. - Memorial Day program at the Trigon Park Memorial

• Introduction and Welcome by Commander David A. Rumsey
• Invocation by Post Chaplain Gary Bassett
• National Anthem sung by Mrs. Mary Brady
• Introduction of the 2023 “Poppy Girl”- Ms. Quincey Williams
• Speaker: Rev. Jim Ruddy, Pastor Living Waters Church
• Reading of list of deceased veterans who have passed away in the past year with the placement of Memorial flag for each veteran.
• Playing of "Taps" followed by Firing Squad volley
• Benediction and closing by Post Chaplain Gary Bassett
• Singing of “God Bless America” led by Mary Brady and the combined LeRoy High School bands.

11:45 a.m. - DISMISS

Hot dogs (Zweigles) and soft drinks free to all after Parade at the Legion Post Home, 53 West Main St., Le Roy, immediately following the parade.

Press Release:

Sunday, May 28

Western New York National Cemetery (WNYNC) 1254 Indian Falls Road, Corfu. Hosted by Western New York National Cemetery Memorial Council, Inc. Ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the Main Flag Ceremonial site.

Monday, May 29

All ceremonies will include full military honors: Wreath Laying, Rifle Salute & Taps.

Batavia ceremonies:

• 7 a.m. – Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Genesee County Park, sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 193.
• 8 a.m. – Williams Park (Batavia) W.W.I Memorial. This memorial honors the 35 Batavians who gave their lives in WORLD WAR I.
• 8:30 a.m. - Batavia VAMC, at the main flagpole, sponsored by the VAMC.
• 8:45 a.m. (approx.) - NYS Veterans Home, at the main flagpole, sponsored by the NYS Veterans Home.
• 9:30 a.m. – Veterans Plot on Harvester Avenue. This memorial honors all war dead of all wars in Elmwood and St. Joseph’s Cemeteries.
• 10 a.m. - Upton Monument. This monument honors the dead of the Civil War, and all wars since.
• 10:30 a.m. – UMMC Jerome Center. This is the site of the Genesee County War Memorial, honoring all war dead from Genesee County.

The names of county veterans who have died since the previous Memorial Day will be read and a flag placed to honor each of them in front of the memorial.

Memorial services will be carried out by Veness-Strollo Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1602, Glenn S. Loomis American Legion Post #332, and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #193.

Town ceremonies:

• ALEXANDER: Ceremony to take place at the Alexander Village Cemetery (a.k.a. Railroad Avenue Cemetery) at 11 a.m.
• BATAVIA:  Parade starting at 9:45 a.m. beginning at the East Town Plaza traveling west along Main Street and ending at Alva Place.
• BERGEN:  Ceremony to take place at Hickory Park at 9:30 a.m.
• BYRON:  Ceremony to take place at Byron Cemetery at 11 a.m.
• CORFU:  Parade at 12 p.m. from Corfu Fire Hall on Route 33 to the Intermediate School on Route 77.  Ceremony immediately following the parade.
• ELBA:  Ceremony at Maple Lawn Cemetery at 10 a.m.
• LEROY:  Parade at 10:30 a.m. from the American Legion to Trigon Park with a ceremony at Trigon Park at 11 a.m. immediately following the parade.

No parade or ceremonies for the following towns:

• Alabama
• Bethany
• Darien
• Oakfield
• Pavilion
• Pembroke
• Stafford

As part of its Memorial Day observance, the Town of Byron honored Steve Vernaccini, a 99-year-old World War II veteran.  The Byron-Bergen High School band played the Star-Spangled Banner and Taps.

Photos and information submitted by Tamara Hillabush Walker.

Article and photos by Glenn Adams.

The Bethany Fire Department hosted a Memorial Day Celebration at the Genesee County Park Monday morning.

The service began at 7 a.m.

Veterans and their families gathered to reminisce and remember those who had fallen in the line of duty.

Coffee and doughnuts were provided by the fire department.

The featured speaker was Assemblyman Steve Hawley, who spoke about our country's stand against tyranny. He reminded us that freedom is not free: It is bought with a price.

A wreath was placed at the memorial, followed by the gun salute and the playing of taps.

Batavia residents display the Stars and Stripes year around for the most part but in honor of Memorial Day, here is a sampling of some of those displays.

Top photo: Chestnut Street.

Kibbe Avenue

Otis Street

Elm Street

Fisher park

Vine Street

Vine Street

Vine Street

Vine Street

North Street

North Street

UMMC

North Street