In celebration of Memorial Day, the American Legion Post 1420 held a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Newburgh Town Hall this past Sunday morning.

The town’s Memorial Day Parade had been canceled prior. After a flood of cancellations due to novel coronavirus [COVID-19] concerns from other municipalities, there had been concerns that the town would have to cancel the Memorial Day Ceremony.

The town prevailed and held the ceremony with face masks in place. The ceremony was opened by Boy Scout Troop 27 and their posting of the colors. Duanne Mickel, Commander of American Legion Post 1420, emceed the event.

“It is well remembered that Memorial Day is an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May honoring the men and women who died serving in the US armed forces,” said Mickel. “Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the year following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.”

After the posting of the colors, Town Councilwoman Betty Greene sang “God Bless America,” with the support of the crowd.

The event featured wreath hangings hung by various different groups.
“It’s proper that we gather here today to honor those brave men and women who gave their lives so we might live in a free and prosperous United States of America,” said Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio. “But in the same sense, it is impossible for us to do anything to say anything that can add to the honor that they so nobly earned. Rather it is our solemn responsibility to remember them.”

Despite COVID-19 concerns, veterans, residents, and more still showed up to honor fallen members of the armed forces.

“For me and many combat veterans, Memorial Day can be hard,” said Rich Drago, Commander of the Purple Heart Chapter 1782. “Many of us lost friends, some of us were even with them when they died and we know how close we came to suffering their fate. Memorial Day is not for the veteran, for we came home.”

“Now we have a new crisis, and every crisis has heroes,” said Drago. “Now during the coronavirus pandemic, the most visible heroes are the healthcare professionals who are saving others and risking their own lives while doing so. These heroes have much in common with the military people we are honoring today, the men and women who have sacrificed their own lives so others could live.”