by Bea Peterson
American Legion Post #40 of Hoosick Falls has honored the Town and Village’s veterans on Memorial Day for many years. This year was different in that Kevin O’Malley stepped up to aid the aging Legion membership in continuing this great tradition. [private]As always, the day began with a flag raising in Wood Park. This year the flag that was raised was the Voice of a Vet’s tribute flag “Liberty.”
There was the walk to the Church Street Bridge with the HFCS band and Honor Guard where prayers were said by the Legion Auxiliary and a wreath throw into the Hoosic River to honor service personnel lost at sea.
At Wood Park wreaths were placed by Legion members at each of the Village’s memorials.
The parade stepped off at 10 am with smatterings of people here and there and large groups in other places along the lengthy route, which concluded in Wood Park.
At Wood Park the large crowd was welcomed by O’Malley, Hoosick Falls Mayor David Borge, Town of Hoosick Supervisor Mark Surdam and Rensselaer County Legislator Stan Brownell. Surdam mentioned learning at a recent Voice of a Vet event of the loss of 20 men in one battle during WW I and how devastating that must have been for the entire community. Brownell named all the veterans that had passed away this last year. Former parade organizer Don Bogardus gave credit to his wife Esther for years of organizing and making the Memorial Day event what it is today. Legion members spoke and Gail Smith of Voice of a Vet highlighted recent past and upcoming events of the organization, it’s weekly Veteran’s coffee time every Wednesday morning at the Community Alliance Church and the travels of the tribute flag “Liberty.” Parade Grand Marshal Mark Folgert was recognized and spoke briefly. Songs were played by the Taconic Pipe Band, the HFCS Band and the Community Band. Fr. Tom Zelker gave the invocation and Rev. Jonathan Youngmann gave the benediction.
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