There were about 20 Memorial Day events in Genesee County today. Here are photos from four of them: Services at the NYS Vets Home, the Upton Monument and parades in Batavia and Corfu.
And Ken Mistler's giant flag on the Carr's building.
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Photo: Submitted by Jason Smith; Matthew Smith places a flag at the grave of his great-grandfather, Harold Smith, who served in World War II in the Navy.
There are eight Memorial Day parades in Genesee County today:
Elba is holding a ceremony at Maple Lawn Cemetery at 10 a.m.
The county's veterans groups started a series of services that will be ongoing throughout the morning beginning at 7 a.m. at the Genesee County Park. At 8 a.m., there will be a service at Williams Park at the World War I Memorial; at 8:30 a.m. at the Batavia VA Center; at 8:45 a.m. at the NYS Veterans Home; at 9:30 a.m., at the Upton Monument; at 10 a.m. at the Harvester Avenue Plot; at 10:30 a.m. at the UMMC Jerome Center; at 11:30 a.m., the Glenn S. Loomis Grave at Elmwood Cemetery; and at noon at the Hansen Brothers Grave, Grandview Cemetary.
Batavia's Memorial Day Parade begins in the Eastown Plaza at 10 a.m.
Here's the order of parade participants and what you can expect to see:
First Division:
Second Division:
Third Division:
Fourth Division:
Fifth Division:
Sixth Division:
Seventh Division:
Press release:
Congressman Chris Collins (NY-27) honored the late John Chase, a World War II veteran from Batavia today by presenting his family members with the medals he earned in service.
“Today I am proud to pay tribute to John Chase, a man who fought for and defended the freedom of our county so bravely during World War II,” Congressman Collins said. “I am humbled to present his family with the medals he earned during his time in the Army and want to thank him posthumously for his distinguished service.”
Alongside members of the late John Chase’s family and Chairwoman of the Genesee County Legislature Mary Pat Hancock, Congressman Collins shared how John Chase was drafted into the Army, fought in the battle of Rhineland in 1945, and received a Silver Star for his actions.
As John Chase grew increasingly ill, his family reached out to Congressman Collins’ office and asked for help in securing a new medal. In the process, Congressman Collins’ office discovered John Chase also qualified for a Bronze Star, which he had never received.
“I am very proud of the sacrifice my father made to fight for his country. Replacing my father’s Silver Star and finding out that he qualified for a Bronze Star has meant a great deal to our family,” said John Chase’s son, David. “I thank Congressman Collins for helping secure the medals my father earned and for giving us the opportunity to honor his service.”
Congressman Collins honored John Chase on Wednesday by sharing his story on the floor of the House of Representatives, and thanked all of our nation’s veterans for their service.
Photos and information submitted by Steve Ognibene.
Catherine Roth gathered some local Boy Scouts from Troop #6069 this evening at the Batavia Historic Cemetery on Harvester Avenue to place new flags on veterans' gravesites.
Members in attendance were assistant scoutmasters Paul Crowley and John Petry.
Boys who assisted were: Senior Patrol Leader Alex Hansen, his Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Dominic Brown, Tyler Mann, Zachary Lovell and LJ Petry. Not pictured but in attendance was Savannah Karn from Venture Crew #164.
This Saturday is the “Ride to Remember,” sponsored by Genesee Veterans Support Network (GVSN) and Stan’s Harley Davidson. This ride honors those who served and sacrificed in defense of our freedoms.
Ride registration opens at Stan’s from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Guided rides begin at 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Maps and directions are provided for those who wish to ride independently. It will be a 60-mile ride with three stops.
On the way back from the accident on Swamp Road today, I headed down Route 262 and passed these old military vehicles flying four flags.
There were several Memorial Day observances throughout Genesee County today. Here are photos from the Genesee County Park, Williams Park, the VA Center, the Bergen parade, the Batavia parade and the St. Jerome's ceremony.
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For 17 years, Hal Kreter has served the veterans of Genesee County, and been a stalwart representative of those who served at Veterans Day and Memorial Day events.
Monday, Kreter will make the rounds for the last time of the various prayers, flag raisings, taps playing and flag saluting memorials in Genesee County.
As the day goes by, Kreter said, he'll reflect on how much things have changed over the past 17 years and the veterans, both living and dead, he has helped.
"I've had the privilege of meeting all of these veterans and listening ot their stories, helping them out, helping them get their compensation and lead better lives and seeing them and their families turn their lives around," Kreter said. "Doing all of the things we do to help veterans is really what I enjoy doing, helping veterans and their families."
When Kreter retires in August, it will be a new chapter in a four-decades long career of service, first through 24 years of service in the Marine Corps, then in veteran services in Genesee County. Kreter expects he'll still be involved in veterans affairs as a retiree in the California desert.
This week Kreter was honored by the New York State Senate when he was named to the Senate's Veterans' Hall of Fame.
Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer nominated Kreter and in a news release called Kreter a "one-man army" on behalf of veterans.
"Hal has helped hundreds and hundreds of Genesee County veterans every year," Ranzenhofer said. "His diligence to serve as a staunch advocate for veterans is equivalent to the strength of an entire army. Clearly, Hal is a distinguished veteran deserving of a special place among elite veterans of New York State.”
In 1996, the Corfu resident received the NYS Conspicuous Service Cross. He's also been VP of WNY Veterans Services Officers Association and been a member of the Marine Corps League, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Kreter, a retired master sergeant, said the hall of fame award was an honor, but also said there are so many veterans in the area who deserve recognition, he couldn't help but wonder, "why me?"
The privilege, Kreter said, has been in serving Genesee County's veterans.
"We have a very proactive veterans community, a very good veterans community," Kreter said. "We've seen the benefits increase throughout the years, with the Veterans ID card and the tax exemptions, the Cold War exemption. It's just a great community and the veterans here are very, very good at what they do. They all stick together and work together."
A C-41 aircraft will fly directly over Main Street, Batavia, on Memorial Day, May 28, Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian told the city council on Monday night.
The flight to kickoff the Memorial Day parade was arranged by former council member Bob Bialkowski, Christian said.
The grand marshall for the parade, she said will be former NYS Assembly member, and father of Batavia's current Assembly representative, Stephen Hawley.
The parade will start at 10 a.m. in the Eastown Plaza.
I don't think many people know about this, but every Memorial Day morning, a group of about a dozen or so members of the Alabama American Legion and Oakfield VFW get up early in the morning, get their rifles, and a couple of bugle players, and they go to EVERY cemetery in Oakfield and Alabama, say a prayer, give a 21 gun salute, and play "Taps" in honor of the fallen. It's a wonderful thing to see and hear. Prior to that, they go to ALL these cemeteries and make SURE that there is a US flag placed at EVERY military serviceperson's grave. MANY THANKS to these Veterans for their dedication.
A threat of rain (that never materialized) couldn't keep hundreds of people from descending on Main Street this morning for the annual Memorial Day parade.
The parade featured the Batavia High School marching band and flag team, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the city and town fire departments, Sheriff's Office and Police Department, along with local veterans groups and elected officials, among other groups.
More pictures after the jump.
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"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
Memorial Day Celebrated in Byron
9:00 AM Plant Sale at Byron Presbyterian Church
11:00 AM Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony
11:00 - 1:30 PM Hot Dogs and more at the Byron Presbyterian Church, vendors also. (free table space available)
11:00 - 1:30 PM Games for children
12:00 PM Chris the magician (courtesy of the Byron-Bergen Public Library)
2:00 PM Duck Race, sponsored by the Byron Town Park Committee
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
Batavia's May 31 Memorial Day Parade will proceed along Main Street, starting at 10 a.m. at East Town Plaza and ending at St. Joseph's Church (at Summit Street). The parade should last about an hour.
If you are interested in being a part of the parade or would like more details, contact Councilperson Rose Mary Christian at 344-0276.
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