Pictured is the veteran’s Garden of Honor in Cazenovia.
Observances to take place May 27 with parade, reflections
(Cazenovia, NY – May 2013
) The Commander of the Cazenovia American Legion Post 88, John J. Mott calls the community to come to Memorial Park on Albany Street in Cazenovia, Monday May 27 to participate in the observance of Memorial Day. It is here that solemn ceremonies will be held, speeches given, wreaths laid, rifle salutes, and taps played to honor those who have given their lives in the service to our country.
The Legion’s color guard will step off the parade to Memorial Park from the corner of Emory Avenue and Forman Street in front of the high school at 10:30 a.m. rain or shine. Parade groups should start lining up at 10 a.m. Those organizations wishing to march in the parade should contact the parade coordinator Frank Gallucci at 655-3652 for information.
All veterans are welcome and encouraged to march. Vehicles will be available for those veterans who feel the long walk would be too strenuous. Veterans needing transportation to the parade and/or needing a ride in the parade should call Ron McDermott at 655-2037 or John Colligan at 655-2233 to make arrangements.
The parade will rest at Memorial Park where Post 88’s Commander Jack Mott will be the Master of Ceremonies. Joining him for a Chaplain’s moment will be Rev. Robin Blair, pastor of the Cazenovia and Nelson United Methodist Churches who will offer a prayer/reflection for Memorial Day.
Guest speaker will be Steve Kinne who is one of the cofounders of Clear Path for Veterans, located at 1223 Salt Springs Road in Chittenango. Detailed information about this Veteran’s program can be found at their web site ClearPathforVets.com.
Kinne, an Air Force Colonel and medical doctor, retired from the Air Force after 23 years of service. He also decided to retire from medicine.
Kinne did not find satisfaction with several jobs he tried, so he spent all his efforts in volunteer work. This volunteer focus led him into shelter work and dog training. Getting reconnected with fellow vets was the final piece that led him to develop the Dogs2Vets program and the subsequent formation of Clear Path for Veterans.
The Dogs2Vets program is designed specifically for addressing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Joined by two additional cofounders, Melinda Sorrentino and Melissa Spicer, a vision was created and soon a facility in a location was established and a partnership formed.
Steve, Melissa and Melinda have committed themselves to their vision and mission and will continue to be involved in helping the Central New York Community address the needs of our Veterans and their families. They believe in this: “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
After the memorial ceremony, the parade will be ordered to resume march to its starting point. All parade participants are invited to the Cazenovia Fire House for a light lunch after the parade.
Other events for this Memorial Day will be:
A noon memorial service will also be held by Post 88 at the South Cemetery on Number Nine Road to honor veterans buried in all of our community cemeteries; a 3 p.m. observance of a National time of silence.
Graveside flags and regular flags can be purchased at The Chamber of Commerce, 51 Albany St. 655-9243 and Gissin Photography, 25 Williams St. 655-2224.
The traditional poppy will be offered by Post 88 Legion and Auxiliary members along the parade route and on Saturday May 25 before Memorial Day. Merchant locations for the Saturday are Tops, Buyea’s, Oneida Bank, and Kinney Drugs.
For those veterans who wish to participate in the 8 a.m. New Woodstock Memorial Day Parade, meet at 6:45 a.m. at Daves’s Diner for breakfast.