News Release    

May 19, 2009      

For Further Information Contact:
William R. Steinhaus, County Executive
(845) 486-2000

Dutchess County Residents: Remember True Meaning of Memorial Day

Poughkeepsie… Memorial Day is Monday, May 25th.  Dutchess County Executive William R. Steinhaus and Veterans Service Agency Director Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret) ask all  Dutchess County residents to remember the sacrifices of veterans who have died in service to our country.     Residents are encouraged to 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.

County Executive Steinhaus said, “Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service.   I encourage every Dutchess County resident 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.

“The true purpose of Memorial Day is to honor those who have died for 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).

2009 Memorial Day
Community Observances
(Based on information provided by municipalities and community organizations.)

Listed by date, then alphabetically by municipality:

Castle Point VA Hospital:
Thursday, May 21, 2009, 2:00 pm
Ceremony – Multi Purpose Room
Contact:  Ray Rogers @ 831-2000 (Volunteer Services)

FDR Presidential Library and Home:
Friday, May 22, 2009, 7pm
Swing and Sway at the USO Show -  an evening of WWII-era entertainment transports visitors back to the days of Roosevelt at the Henry A. Wallace Center. The USO Show includes comedy, live entertainment, historic film footage, and music from the 1940’s. Dance and sing along to old favorites at this event, patterned after the WWII-era shows that entertained American troops serving around the globe.
Contact: 845-486-7745

Pawling:
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 2:00pm
Memorial Garden Service at 22 Coultier Ave
Hosted by Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Contact:  John Ford @ 855-5276

Millerton:
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 5:00pm
Memorial Sunday Service at Methodist Church (by Veterans Park) at corner of Dutchess Ave & Main St. (RT 44) in the Village of Millerton
Hosted By American Legion Post 178
Contact: Sean Klay @ (518) 929 3624

Beacon:
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 9:30am
Parade up Main Street
Ceremony/Service to follow at Beacon Memorial Hall at 413 Main Street at 11:00am
Hosted by the American Legion Beacon Post 203
Contact: Luis Humphreys @ 831-7750

Beekman:
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:00am
Parade from Clove Excavators on Route 216 to Beekman Town Hall
Ceremony & laying of the wreath to follow at Town Hall
Hosted by Town of Beekman
Contact: Ginny Ward @ 724-3500 X 221

Dover:
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 9:30am
Parade – Route 55 starting at JHK Hose
Ceremony to follow at Veteran’s Cemetery   
Hosted by American Legion Post 1949
Rain Location:  Boyce Park, Route 55 in Wingdale
Contact: David Cross, Commander @ 877-0204

East Fishkill:
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 11:00am
Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial located Junction of RT 82 and Beekman Road
Hosted by the American Legion, Post 1758
Contact: Barbara Verissimo @ 724-4666

Village of Fishkill:
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:30am
Parade from Church St to Monument Square (Broad & Main St.) where
Memorial Service will follow immediately after parade at Monument Square.
Guest Speaker will be Pete Seeger
Hosted by Village of Fishkill & VFW Post 1286
Contact: Village Clerk @ 897-4430
 
Town of Hyde Park:
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 10:00am
Parade from Roosevelt Movie Theatres to Hyde Park Town Hall
Memorial Service will follow immediately after parade at Town Hall.
Hosted by Town of Hyde Park & American Legion Post 1303
Contact: Diane Cullen @ 229-8086

LaGrange:
Monday, May 25, 2009, 10:30am
Ceremony at LaGrange Town Hall at 120 Stringham Road
Contact:  Kathy Kowgios @ 451-9064


Village of Millerton:
Monday, May 25, 2009
Cemetery Shoot & Flag Raising – will start at American Legion Post 178 Home at 6am and will visit all six cemeteries in the Village of Millerton and Town of North East.
Parade at 10am followed by Ceremony at Veterans Park located at corner of Dutchess Avenue and Main Street
Guest Speaker: Brigadier General Steven N. Wickstrom, 42 Infantry Division Commander
Hosted by the American Legion Post 178
Contact: Sean Klay @ (518) 929-3624

Pleasant Valley:
Monday, May 25, 2009, 11:00 am
Ceremony at the Veterans' Memorial located at the intersection of South Avenue and
Main Street.
Guest Speaker:  Brian Foley, U.S. Army
Hosted by American Legion Post 739
Contact:  Bruce Donegan @ 635-2249

Town of Poughkeepsie:
Monday, May 26, 2009, 9:30am
Ceremony at Dutchess County War Memorial - located at Corner of Main St. & Raymond Ave. in the Town of Poughkeepsie
Guest Speaker:  Mike Tokarz, member of the National Legislative Council and National Membership Committee of the American Legion.
Hosted by American Legion Post 1302 and Veterans Foreign War Post 170  
Contact: Nelson Eddy Rivera @ 486-2060
 
Red Hook
Monday, May 25, 2009, 10:00am
Parade from Red Hook High School to Memorial Park , Route 9, Red Hook
Ceremony to follow at Memorial Park
Hosted by VFW Post 7765
Contact:William Moore @ 758-8175
 
Rhinecliff:
Monday, May 25, 2009, 9:00am
Ceremony at Rhinecliff Hamlet Memorial at the intersection of Shatzell & Charles Street
Hosted by Rhinecliff Fire Company in conjunction with Montgomery American Legion Post #429
Contact: Bill Cotting @ 876-8849

Village of Rhinebeck:
Monday, May 25, 2009, 10:30am
Parade followed by Ceremony at 12pm at the Rhinebeck Cemetery, South 9 South of Village
Guest Speaker:  Cpt. John Wirth, Jr.  USMC
Hosted by American Legion Post #429,
Contact:  Wayne Rifenburgh @ 876-4429

Stanford:
Monday, May 25, 2009, 9:00am
Parade featuring Pine Plains High school Band as well as several local organizations, starting at the Stanford Grange on Route 82 to the  Bangall Veterans Memorial at the corner of Hunns Lake Road and Bangall-Amenia Road.
Ceremony to follow where winning student essays will be read. Essay theme: “What living in America means to me.”
Hosted byLeroy Campbell American Legion Post.
Contact: John Quinn @ 868-7742

Unionvale:
Monday, May 25, 2009, 9:00 am
Ceremony on the Green
Contact:  Town Supervisor @ 724-5600


 



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