Memorial Day in the Harlem Valley

On Monday, May 31, communities throughout the Harlem Valley commemorated Memorial Day. It’s important they did so as the holiday pays tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our basic liberties, and those of our allies.

Gratitude and appreciation flow freely in our region, as our towns and villages mark Memorial Day every year with parades and ceremonies, keeping the importance of the day fresh in the minds of young and old alike.

The village of Millerton and the town of North East consistently organize Memorial Day events for the public, as well as for local veterans, to convey the importance of the holiday. The American Legion started early with nondenominational services on Sunday evening, before kicking off Monday at 6 a.m. with a Sunrise Salute at six different cemeteries. The Legion also offers a holiday breakfast, and then lunch, with activities for the family, making the whole day one to remember.

Amenia also has its annual traditions. Every year there is a ceremony at Fountain Square, where veterans from the Harlem Valley Post VFW 5444 attend, along with town officials, Boy and Cub scouts and plenty of community members. The ceremony always proves to be a moving one and helps people focus on the true gift veterans have given to their countrymen so they could remain free.

One of the area’s biggest Memorial Day commemorations is in Pine Plains, where it seems like the whole town turns out for the parade and ceremony every year. The cooperation among all of those who participate in the event — the town government, local businesses, the schools, various local organizations, residents and veterans themselves — is part of why the feeling of camaraderie and respect is so prevalent. The salute to the dead at the cemetery is especially moving, and the hundreds in the crowd march right along with the parade from the firehouse to the clocktower to the cemetery and back to the American Legion Hall, in a show of appreciation to all vets the whole while.

Millbrook also recognizes Memorial Day, with its annual parade, starting at the top of Franklin Avenue at the Thorne Building and marching down to the bottom of Franklin Avenue to the Tribute Gardens. Once there a ceremony takes place, which recognizes those who laid down their lives for this country. The morning event hits an emotional chord with all who attend, especially those veterans from Millbrook’s American Legion and the VFW.

It’s a wonderful thing to know that our hometowns are so committed to honoring the men and women who laid down their lives so we could live free. Memorial Day must not be forgotten, brushed aside or overlooked in today’s busy world. In fact, it’s especially important, in such a world — with war and hunger, fear and prejudice, poverty and hate — that we commemorate the holiday and those who fought to right mankind’s wrongs.  

Around these parts, we can proudly say, the importance of the day is very definitely honored. This should be done on Memorial Day, certainly, but also regularly, when encountering those soldiers who have risked and continue to risk everything to protect all people living in this great nation.

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