submitted by Gail Smith
After many months in the planning stages, local veterans organizations, Voice of a Vet, American Legion Post 40 and Heroes at Home, are pleased to announce that details of the Korean War Veterans Welcome Home on September 13 have been finalized.
[private]Festivities begin at 11 am with a parade that will step off from the Griffin Avenue side of the Town of Hoosick Skating Rink. Participants should be there by 10:45. Korean War Vets riding in vans will be escorted by Patriot Guard Riders. The American Legion Color Guard, Community Band and local emergency responders will all be part of the pomp and circumstance. We invite you to participate in the parade or line Main Street to cheer on these men and women as they pass by, then join us at the rink for the balance of the festivities.
The parade will make its way down Main Street to Wood Park where the American Legion will conduct a flag ceremony to honor our deceased Korean War Veterans, then we will return to the rink via Main Street (not up Church Street as originally planned).
At approximately 12 noon our honored guests will be introduced and escorted in, after which we will watch a short video to give us some background and a better understanding of the Korean War, aka The Forgotten War.
Tributes will be paid by elected officials and awards presented by NYS Senator Kathy Marchione and Rensselaer County Legislators Stan Brownell and Lester Goodermote. Shari Hand and David Sutton will each sing a song, and the event will end with a light lunch and some Korean War era music by the ever popular Yankee Doodle Band.
We invite you to join us as we pay homage to these deserving men and women who risked their lives and put their dreams and desires on hold to serve our great nation.
For planning purposes, RSVP to Gail at 686-9888 ASAP. Doors will open at 10 am and attendees are requested to arrive, check in and be shown their seats prior to 11:30 so there will be no delay or disruption when the ceremony begins at noon, after which you can go out and view the parade.Seating for those who don’t make reservations will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If you are a Korean War Veteran or family member of a deceased Korean War Veteran, please call at your earliest convenience and let us know so we can include you in the program.[/private]