The commander of the Cazenovia American Legion, John J. Mott, calls the community to come on Monday May 30 to Memorial Park on Albany Street in Cazenovia to participate in the observance of Memorial Day. It is here that solemn ceremonies will be held, speeches given, wreaths laid and taps played to honor those who have given their lives in the service to our country. The Legion’s color guard will start off the parade to Memorial Park from the corner of Emory Avenue and Forman Street, in front of the high school, at 10:30 a.m. rain or shine. Parade groups should start lining up at 10 a.m.. Those organizations wishing to march in the parade should contact the parade coordinator Frank Gallucci at 655-3652 for information. All veterans are welcome and encouraged to march. Vehicles will be available for those veterans who feel the long walk would be too strenuous. Veterans needing transportation to the parade and/or needing a ride in the parade should call Ron McDermott at 655-2037 or John Colligan at 655-9211 to make arrangements. The parade will stop at Memorial Park where past Post 88 Commander Ron McDermott will be the Master of Ceremonies. Joining him will be The Reverend Betty Burlew, pastor of the Cazenovia and Nelson Parish of the United Methodist Church who will offer a prayer and reflection for Memorial Day. Our guest speaker will be Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Fritz Koennecke who grew up in Cazenovia, graduated from Cazenovia High School and the U.S. Air Force Academy. During his Air Force career, he served in numerous positions including KC-135 pilot, VIP transport pilot, Pentagon acquisition officer and most recently as the Commander of 100-member KC-135 flying squadron. He received numerous decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal and two Air Medals for his service in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom combat operations. Lt. Col. Koennecke retired from the Air Force in 2005 and returned to Cazenovia with his family. He is currently employed as a senior program manager at Sensis Corporation where he develops new products for the military and law enforcement. After the memorial ceremony, the parade will be ordered to resume march to its starting point. All parade participants are invited to the Cazenovia Fire House for a light lunch after the parade. Other events for this Memorial Day include:
Noon: Memorial service with The American Legion Rifle Squad at the Evergreen Cemetery on Fenner Road to honor veterans buried in all of our community cemeteries. 3 p.m.: Observance of a national time of silence.
Graveside flags and regular flags can be purchased at John Colligan & Sons Service Center on Albany Street. The traditional poppy will be sold by Legion members along the parade route and on May 28 at other locations the Saturday before Memorial Day. Merchant locations for poppy sales will be located at Tops, Buyea’s, Oneida Bank and Kinney Drugs. For those veterans who wish to participate in the 8 a.m. Erieville Memorial Day parade, please meet at 6:45 a.m. at Dave’s Diner for breakfast. Bill Tilson, proprietor of Dave’s Diner at Cazenovia Common Grounds on Albany St. is also offering a free cup of morning coffee to all veterans on Memorial Day.