The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Taconic Valley

By

Lest We Forget Those That Gave All

By Doug La Rocque

The Memorial Day Parades scheduled for Hoosick Falls and Berlin were canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but people around the Taconic Valley found ways to honor department veterans.

In Berlin, the Taconic Valley American Legion Post held its traditional ceremony at the monument in the center of town, as well as firing three gun salutes at the graves of veterans at the Berlin Community Cemetery and the Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery on Southeast Hollow Road.

The color guard from the Taconic Valley American Legion Post in Berlin stands ready to fire a three gun salute to the veterans buried at the Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery and all around the valley. Photo by Doug La Rocque.

In Hoosick Falls, American Legion Post # 40 held ceremonies at Memorial Park and the Shop Bridge. Flags were placed on the final resting sites of veterans in cemeteries all over the valley, and many towns took the time to spruce up their veterans memorials that honor the departed.

The Veterans Memorial in the Grafton Town Park, spruced up by volunteers who lowered the flags to half staff and planted red, white and blue flowers in front of the monument. Photo provided.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the holiday originated in the years following the Civil War. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of Gen. John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former Union sailors and soldiers. It became an official federal holiday in 1971.