United Memorial Medical Center's annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Jerome Center, at 16 Bank St. in Batavia. It will start at 9:30 a.m. and last about an hour. The event has been relocated this year because of ongoing construction at UMMC's main site.
United Memorial Medical Center is proud to serve as the Genesee County War Memorial. Due to construction at the North Street Hospital site, services for the annual remembrance have been temporarily moved to The Jerome Center at 16 Bank St., Batavia.
Memorial Day will be observed at the flag on the Bank Street campus at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 31. The names of over 280 Genesee County soldiers who lost their lives in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict will be read aloud and flags honoring the memory of each soldier will be placed in the ground.
Members of Batavia Concert Band will perform the National Anthem. Refreshments will be served in the Jerome Center Conference Room immediately following the event. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
The original monument was removed from the hospital when work began on the addition of a 44,000-square-foot surgical unit. The embossed plates listing the names of those who died in service were carefully wrapped and placed in storage.
A thorough review of the monument deemed it unsalvageable due to weathering and a committee was formed to develop plans for a new monument.
Committee members include Ron Koniezny of J. Leonard Mc Andrew Funeral Home; Hal Kreter, Director of Genesee County Veterans’ Services; Jim Neider of the Joint Veterans’ Council; veteran Dan Waterman, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Colleen Flynn from United Memorial.
"We will have a parade," City Council President Marianne Clattenburg said tonight after a member of the VFW Auxiliary asked that the council step forward and ensure that the annual Memorial Day Parade is not canceled this year.
Last month, the veterans group that had been organizing it said putting on the annual parade had become just too much.
Barbara Lewis spoke for the Auxiliary and said the parade is just too important to let go.
"It’s so gratifying when you see these proud faces, no longer able to march, coming out of the nursing homes, and the UPS volunteers pushing those wheelchairs, it just breaks your heart. I mean, what can you say? Doen’t that say it all?" Lewis said.
After she spoke, Clattenburg said, "With all of us working together, we can have a parade."
She said the entire council would help make it happen.
Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian has already started working on organization efforts and said she will be at City Hall on May 5 getting all of the parade participants to sign "hold harmless" agreements, which is necessary for them to participate in a parade.
She said recruiters for the major military branches have committed to participating in the parade.
Councilman Frank Ferrando said as important as the Memorial Day Parade is, the city should spearhead the organization efforts from now on, since volunteers sometimes move, die or move on.
"I just think that’s the heart and soul of who we all are," Ferrando said. "It’s why we’re all here and why we’re able to talk like this. We ought to do it. We ought to make sure it happens. We ought to make sure it’s a big event."
Just saw on the They Daily News online version that the Memorial Day parade is being cancelled this year. Any one know why? I remember years ago as a kid...loved this parade..
Students from St. Joseph School planted flags on the graves of veterans at St. Joseph's Cemetery yesterday. Nora O'Neill submitted this photo and the one below.
Here is a schedule of Monday's Memorial Day events sponsored by Genesee County Veteran's Services.
7:00 a.m. - Genesee County Park - (Vietnam Veterans of America)
8:00 a.m. - Williams Park
8:30 a.m. - Batavia VA MedicalCenter
8:40 a.m.- New York State Veterans’ Nursing Home
9:00 a.m.- United Memorial Medical Center
9:30 a.m.- Upton Monument
10:15 a.m.- Parade -- forms at Aldi’s market at 9:15 a.m. – travels west on Main Street, left onto Harvester to Veterans’ Plot
11:00 a.m - Veterans’ Plot (Harvester Avenue)
The Elba Historical Society will be retiring old/worn American flags at the Society's museum on Maple Avenue in Elba on Monday, May 25, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to noon. If you have old/worn American flags that need to be properly and respectfully disposed of please bring them to the museum at that time. If you are unable to get to the museum and would like to have your flag(s) picked up please call Ron @757-2590. The flag retiring ceremony will be performed by Elba Boy Scout Troop 17.
From the Historical Society of Elba:
The Historical Society of Elba has removed the Christmas display at the Pinehill Fitness Center on Main St. in Elba. In it's place is a display of all the items that the Society has for sale. Many of them are at discounted prices. The maroon and blue Elba throws are now $35.00 including tax. T-shirts $5.00 and sweatshirts $10.00. "Give a Gift of Elba History" for birthday, anniversary, graduation, shower, wedding or any occasion that you may have to celebrate. The Walk Way Bricks originaly were sold to raise money to move an 1842 home(the Griffin-Hill house)into Elba. It was set next to the Museum that was erected in the 80's. In 2008, the Society was able to build a barn to add to the Museum complex. We are using the money from the current sale of the bricks to help offset the cost of the barn. These are great for a permanent memorial for a loved one, organization, family etc.
The Museum is closed now for the winter but will reopen on Memorial Day following the services at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in the morning. Coffee and donuts are served at the Museum.
If anyone is interested in any Historical Society of Elba memorabilia please call Ann at 585-757-9356 or June at 585-757-2791 for more information.
From reader Georgia Voss:
My husband and I were honored to have a visit Sunday with a Korean Veteran who was to be honored with 6 others on Memorial Day by Steve Hawley. I saw no mention of this in the Daily News and am curious if you folks have knowledge of the event and other participants.
So we contacted Assemblyman Hawley's office, which provided the following information on honors handed out Monday:
The Conspicuous Service Cross was created by the New York Legislature in the 1920s. It is the highest award New York can bestow in its veterans. Recipients must have distinguished themselves by performing particularly brave and heroic acts which earned them individual citations while serving in the armed forces.
There's not much listed on the web about Memorial Day activities.
GeneseeCalendar.com lists the following event from 10:30 to 8 p.m.
Darien Lake honors the men and women that defend our country on Memorial Day Weekend! All active and veteran military personnel receive free admission and discounts for their family members. Activities include local dance groups, a tribute to Music from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and other live patriotic musical performances throughout the park all weekend long. Show you’re proud to support American troops, wear Red, White or Blue!
Previously, we mentioned United Memorial holding an observance at 9 a.m.
From a United Memorial press release:
United Memorial is proud to serve as Genesee County ’s War Memorial. Memorial Day observance services have been planned for Monday, May 26th at 9 am at the monument in front of the Hospital’s main entrance at 127 North Street , Batavia . The public is invited to attend this annual event.
Representatives of the Veterans’ Association and Gold Star family members will lay a wreath at the monument. Members of the Batavia Concert Band will also perform.
Refreshments will be available in the Hospital Board Room following the service.
Well we are off....seems like only yesterday when I was taking down the remnants of forgotten Christmas lights left on trees outside and now it is the official first weekend of the 'summer season". I spent a good time this morning working and preparing and packing to go off to our summer place....a small, modest camp near Warsaw. It seemed like I was packing more than usual. Could be because I need heavy, warm things in my travel sack....not the usual shorts and sandles. Let's see....if it gets down to 40 again tonight....How many pairs of socks will I need? All this and I LIKE camping.
I do admit that camping now is not like it used to be. The kids and I would rough it with three tents...two people in each, and sleeping bags. I still would enjoy that type of camping but I am not sure that my back, bum leg and sciatica would appreciate it. So, we are more gentile now. We have our home away from home....of course complete with all the electronics, TV, furnace, hot water, microwave, CD/VCR player and lets not forget the "garden tub". I did say "NO" when it came time to pay for the Jacuzzi Tub. Seemed to be the height of decadence at the time and it would mean I would have to remove my fantastic skylight.... Now I am not so sure......hmmm?
So today I go off for the first of several family rendevous of the summer. Bag packed, extra socks, sweatshirts and long johns......not a swimsuit to be seen... and a car full of stuff that is good to eat as well as the much needed chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers. I do intend on eating well and often this weekend. I will need the calories to combat the cold. The rest of the family will drift in over the next two days....a few today, a few more tomorrow....and finally....just when I have cleaned my last corner of the camper, put out all the camper stuff and planted the last annual flower they all will appear. Oh... let's not forget the cord of firewood I ordered that needs to be stacked.
I declare when all is said and done...I still love to camp in my own little corner of paradise....I just wish this year paradise was going to be a bit warmer. Oh and the next time Jacuzzi Tub is mentioned with its18 pulsating jets....Hit me on the head if I say "no thanks". It is the least you can do..... It wouldn't be camping without it.
Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.....and remember.....it is important to reflect on those that have sacrificed so that we can have what we have..... Give thanks to them all.
United Memorial Medical Center will host a Memorial Day observance Monday, May 26, at 9:00am at the monument in front of the hospital's main entrance at 127 North St. Gold Star Family members and representatives from the Batavia Veterans' Association will lay a wreath at the monument. Members of the Batavia Concert Band will perform.
The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available following the observance in the hospital board room. Call (585) 344-5415 for more information.
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