Memorial Day

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

This is found in the Bible, John 15:13, and it was quoted this morning at the Memorial Day ceremony held outside UMMC's Jerome Center. The speaker was American Legion Commander Ronald Konieczny.

“We know what’s in people's hearts, we know how people feel about our veterans. It’s a much better feeling today than what it was during Vietnam,” Konieczny said.  "It is easy for one to believe that (Biblical) statement after witnessing the generosity and admiration shown by all those who attended today's service..."

The atmosphere was solemn but proud, as it was when plans were unveiled for a new monument to commemorate deceased soldiers from Genesee County. It will honor those killed in action during World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

This $250,000 monument is estimated to be finished in 2013; however, no building will be done before the old plaques, which were stored due to recent renovations, receive a proper military burial. The old plaques, which once stood in front of the hospital on North Street, are to be retired and then buried under the new monument.

Aside from individual grave sites, this commemorative monument will be the only permanent place in Batavia where friends and family of deceased soldiers can pay homage to their lost loved ones, and permanent it will be. The entire monument, plaza and tablets are going to be solid granite. To aid fundraising, the granite pavers used to make the plaza will be sold to families and inscribed with whatever special message is desired.

Though the announcement of the new memorial generated a lot of excitement, the service maintained its true purpose, which was honoring the heroism of deceased soldiers. Helen Laird and Adeline "Dolly" Gioia,  two Gold Star mothers whose sons were killed in combat, were honored today as well as 178 soldiers who died between 2010 and 2011. For each soldier, an American flag was placed in the ground in front of the hospital.

Memorial Day is only one day of remembrance, but for the veterans and families of fallen soldiers it is more than that. It's a chance to show their respect for the sacrifices that their comrade or family member made. With the help of United Memorial Medical Center and those who attended the commemoration, that is exactly what was accomplished today

Here's a news release from Assemblyman Steve Hawley's office.

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C – Batavia) is continuing his commitment to New York’s veterans through his work with the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Having served seven years in the Ohio Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves, where he earned the rank 1st Lieutenant, the assemblyman takes his responsibility to the courageous members of our military extremely seriously. “It is a privilege and an honor to serve on the Veterans’ Affairs committee, responding to the needs and issues that are most important to the men and women that risk their lives to protect our freedom,” Hawley said. “As a former member of the armed forces, I know firsthand how important the work done by our military personnel is to our way of life as Americans.

"This nation is truly only as strong as the servicemen and women that risk life and limb for their fellow countrymen, and I am proud to fight for their needs each and every day in the state Assembly.”

The assemblyman noted that Memorial Day, which falls on Monday, May 30, presents an opportunity for the people of the community to show their appreciation for our local veterans.

“Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the contributions that our veterans make each and every day to our community, our state and our entire nation,” Hawley said. “With the holiday just around the corner, I encourage the people of our community to visit a local veterans organization and show your appreciation for our past and present heroes, or just take some time to approach a veteran and thank them for all that they’ve done to make this country great.”

Assemblyman Hawley is the sponsor of numerous bills that support veterans, including measures to provide tax credits for home loans to veterans, support in custody battles for those in active duty, and tuition assistance for military families.

The assemblyman will be conducting his fourth annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C. for veterans from Sept. 22 through 25.

Patriot Trip IV will include roundtrip private coach transportation from Western New York to Washington, D.C. and accommodations at Quantico Marine Base in Virginia. The trip also includes tours of the WWII, Vietnam, Korean and FDR Memorials as well as Arlington Cemetery and the Udvar Hazy Aerospace Museum. Most meals are included with the trip cost of approximately $300. For more information about trip details, pricing, or to sign-up, please call Assemblyman Hawley’s District Office at 589-5780.

Memorial Day Services are scheduled at United Memorial Medical Center beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 30 at the hospital’s Bank Street campus, the Jerome Center. But at 10 a.m., the Batavia Concert Band will assemble to perform for those attending the service.

The names of veterans who have passed away since Memorial Day 2010 will be read aloud and a wreath honoring those who died in service will be placed near the flag pole. Prayers will be read from each of the five distinct military branches.

The monument that stood in front of the hospital at North Street was removed during renovations and the plaques were placed in temporary storage. The veterans will unveil their plans for a new monument to be placed at the Bank Street site.

Light refreshments will be served at this event and the community is encouraged to attend.

There was a nice turn out on a bright sunny day for Batavia's Memorial Day Parade.

More pictures after the jump:

These photos of the Alexander Memorial Day observance were submitted by Pamela Dayton and Rick Franclemont. Top photo by Pamela, second by Rick and the ones after the jump by Pamela.

With new construction at UMMC, local veterans must raise funds for the displaced War Veterans Memorial that sat for decades outside the main entrance to the hospital.

Today, local veterans gathered at the Jerome Center on Bank Street to honor America's war dead and kick off the fund raising efforts for the new memorial.

More pictures after the jump

"We will have a parade," City Council President Marianne Clattenburg said tonight after a member of the VFW Auxiliary asked that the council step forward and ensure that the annual Memorial Day Parade is not canceled this year.

Last month, the veterans group that had been organizing it said putting on the annual parade had become just too much.

Barbara Lewis spoke for the Auxiliary and said the parade is just too important to let go.

"It’s so gratifying when you see these proud faces, no longer able to march, coming out of the nursing homes, and the UPS volunteers pushing those wheelchairs, it just breaks your heart. I mean, what can you say? Doen’t that say it all?" Lewis said.

After she spoke, Clattenburg said, "With all of us working together, we can have a parade."

She said the entire council would help make it happen.

Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian has already started working on organization efforts and said she will be at City Hall on May 5 getting all of the parade participants to sign "hold harmless" agreements, which is necessary for them to participate in a parade.

She said recruiters for the major military branches have committed to participating in the parade.

Councilman Frank Ferrando said as important as the Memorial Day Parade is, the city should spearhead the organization efforts from now on, since volunteers sometimes move, die or move on.

"I just think that’s the heart and soul of who we all are," Ferrando said. "It’s why we’re all here and why we’re able to talk like this. We ought to do it. We ought to make sure it happens. We ought to make sure it’s a big event."

Students from St. Joseph School planted flags on the graves of veterans at St. Joseph's Cemetery yesterday. Nora O'Neill submitted this photo and the one below.

Here is a schedule of Monday's Memorial Day events sponsored by Genesee County Veteran's Services.

7:00 a.m. - Genesee County Park - (Vietnam Veterans of America)

8:00 a.m. - Williams Park

8:30 a.m. - Batavia VA MedicalCenter

8:40 a.m.- New York State Veterans’ Nursing Home

9:00 a.m.- United Memorial Medical Center

9:30 a.m.- Upton Monument

10:15 a.m.- Parade -- forms at Aldi’s market at 9:15 a.m. – travels west on Main Street, left onto Harvester to Veterans’ Plot

11:00 a.m - Veterans’ Plot (Harvester Avenue)

From reader Georgia Voss:

My husband and I were honored to have a visit Sunday with a Korean Veteran who was to be honored with 6 others on Memorial Day by Steve Hawley.  I saw no mention of this in the Daily News and am curious if you folks have knowledge of the event and other participants.

So we contacted Assemblyman Hawley's office, which provided the following information on honors handed out Monday:

• Thomas E. Hayes Specialist Four, AUS, of the US Army, received the New York Medal of Merit. Hayes served in Vietnam and his military service covered 1969 to 1971.  He is a Silver Star winner.
• John E. Corrado was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross.  Corrado served in Vietnam and was in the Army from 1968 to 1970.
• Ettore Ianni also received the Conspicuous Service Cross. Ianni served in Korea and was in the Army from 1951 to 1970.
• Keith A. Weinert also received the Conspicuous Service Cross.  Weinert is a Vietnam veteran and served in the Army from 1967 to 1970.

The Conspicuous Service Cross was created by the New York Legislature in the 1920s. It is the highest award New York can bestow in its veterans. Recipients must have distinguished themselves by performing particularly brave and heroic acts which earned them individual citations while serving in the armed forces.