(Utica, NY – May 2013) The Memorial Day observance in Utica on May 27 features morning wreath-laying at six monuments and an afternoon parade up Genesee Street.
The wreath-laying ceremonies start at 11 a.m. at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Oneida Square. The wreath-laying then moves, in order, to: the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the Memorial Parkway, the POW-MIA Monument on the Parkway, the World War I/World War II/Korean War Monument on the Parkway, the Purple Heart Park in West Utica, and the All Veterans Memorial at Utica’s Main Post Office on Pitcher Street.
A Memorial Day Parade, up Genesee Street from Oneida Square to the Parkway, caps off the day’s events, starting at 2 p.m. The parade will feature numerous groups and organizations, along with six grand marshals: World War II veterans Frank Zammiello, Philip Capraro, Albert Circelli, Al (Mutz) D’Acurrizo, Joseph Ducato and Louis Barile.
Sponsored by Utica Post 229 and the City of Utica, the parade is organized by a committee representing various veterans’ organizations and chaired by Utica Post’s Master Chief Mark Williamson, T. R. Proctor NJROTC instructor.
Coffee and doughnuts will be available at the post that morning, and, for those members needing a ride to the wreath-laying, buses will leave the post at 10:30.
The parade committee members and their veterans affiliations are:
— Mark Williamson, chairman, Utica Post 229 and T. R. Proctor NJROTC.
— Joe Fraccola, vice chairman-treasurer, Central NY Chapter 490/Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Vietnam Veterans of America/Utica Chapter 944.
— Stash Babiarz, Bator Post #21 P.L.A.V. (Polish Legion of American Veterans).
— Tom Bouno, commander of Vietnams Veterans Chapter 944
— Larry Badger, Purple Heart/Vietnam Veterans/DAV..
— Carl Yeomans, AmVets Post 6001.
— John Ryan, Oneida County Voiture 92 of the 40 & 8.
— Vince Zaleski, Utica Post 229.
— Stan Bogdan, Walter Skiba Post #20 P.L.A.V. (Polish Legion of American Veterans)
— Dan Pieloch, Walter Skiba Post #20 P.L.A.V.
— Jim George, Utica Post 229.