Residents of the Town of Newburgh and the City of Newburgh honored their veterans with solemn memorial services and celebrated the Memorial Day weekend with parades and cheers. The Town of Newburgh held its parade and services on Sunday, May 26 while the City of Newburgh celebrated its parade and services on Monday, May 27.

Memorial Day is a day observed on the last Monday of May to honor the men and women of the military who died while serving. Memorial Day first went by the name of Decoration Day, originating after the Civil War. It would become a recognized federal holiday in 1971.

Town of Newburgh
Town of Newburgh elected officials, residents and veterans gathered at town hall on Sunday, May 26 for the annual Memorial Day service. American Legion Post 1420 Commander Marvin Mickle served as emcee for the proceedings and welcomed all who came to honor and remember American veterans. The Town of Newburgh Police Department Color Guard were called upon to present the colors followed by the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

After the pledge, a moment of silence was held for Councilwoman Elizabeth “Betty” Greene, who passed away on April 12. According to Mickle, for the past 25 or so years the service has been held at town hall, and Councilwoman Greene sang God Bless America for those gathered. Mickle then led the crowd with the singing of the song with a moment of prayer following.

Notable guests in attendance included Town Supervisor Gil Piaquadio, Councilmen Scott Manley, Anthony LoBiondo and Paul Ruggiero, Town Clerk Lisa Ayers, Town Judges Jude Martini and Richard Clarino, Orange County Legislator Leigh Benton, U.S. Congressman Pat Ryan and New York State Senator Rob Rolison.

“It is an honor to be with each and every one of you. I want to thank our law enforcement professionals that keep our community safe, our first responders, our scouts, all of our local elected officials, and, of course, the post for organizing this and everybody for being here,” said Ryan.

“We are here today to honor heroes, to remember their achievements, courage and dedication and to say thank you for your sacrifices,” said Piaquadio. “Today, our troops continue to make the ultimate sacrifice and even as we lose troops, many Americans step forward to say, ‘I’m ready to serve.’ They follow in the footsteps of generations of fine Americans, many of whom are here today.”

The guest speaker of the service this year was Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson. “This is a day that we honor those brave men and women who lost their lives, fighting and protecting this country,” said Jacobson. “I would like to say that the most important thing we can do to honor those that lost their lives protecting our country and protecting our values is to rededicate ourselves to the values that make this country great.”

Other remarks were shared as the ceremony continued with the placing of memorial wreaths by local organizations. Town fire departments, the police department, local boy scouts, emergency medical services members and veteran groups solemnly placed their wreaths and saluted in front of the town hall’s memorial. A firing squad let off several rounds before Taps was played.

Later in the afternoon, town families and residents lined up along Route 300 and other areas of Route 52 for the start of the parade and were treated to bands, treats and cheers as the parade went along.

City of Newburgh
Following an early morning downpour, the City of Newburgh prepared for its annual Memorial Day parade, ready to make its way down Broadway. The parade was made possible by former City Councilmember Regina Angelo, the parade committee members and additional city partners.

“We’re glad that the weather was able to let up,” said Parade Committee Member Maritza Sanchez-Wilson. “The city expects it [the parade] because it’s tradition. Once you head up and you start and you go on Broadway and you see the families lined up and all the different generations participating, it’s just nice that people still embrace the traditions in the city.”

The parade made its way down Broadway with families and residents waving and cheering on either side of Broadway. The weather held for the entirety of the procession.

George and Martha Washington in this year’s city parade were portrayed by former city mayor Nicholas Valentine and his wife Susan. The couple wore traditional clothing from the period. “I think what’s really special about it [the parade] is that now everybody that’s going to be lined up along Broadway will be able to experience it and really understand the true meaning of Memorial Day,” said Nicholas Valentine.

Following the parade, a memorial service was held at Washington’s Headquarters to honor and remember the veterans of the country and community. Denniston served as emcee for the services and welcomed Bishop Jeffrey C. Woody who offered the invocation for the ceremony. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and City Councilwoman Patricia Sofokles then led the crowd in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner. Denniston, alongside Mayor Torrance Harvey and Hermetes Perez of Hook Elite Boxing Club, placed wreaths at the Washington’s Headquarters memorial to commemorate the fallen.

Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, NAACP Newburgh/Highland Falls Chapter President Ray Harvey and Carol Smith, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Hudson Valley Honor Flight were recognized as guest speakers for the ceremony and thanked all those in attendance for joining to celebrate the day.

“When I think of Memorial Day, I truly do think of the people that sacrificed their life so that we can live in this free country and to be able to do the things we do,” said Ray Harvey. “We appreciate you coming out, and let’s make the parade even bigger and better next year.”

The ceremony concluded with thanks made by Denniston followed by the traditional playing of Taps. Due to the inclement weather, the reading of the names of all who died while serving in the military since World War I was relocated to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 973 at 15 Hudson Valley Professional Plaza.