Owego’s traditional Memorial Day parade is looking for WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, National Guard and non-combat veterans as well as representatives from all community organizations to march on Monday, May 25.
This gives the public an opportunity to honor our fallen heroes and to meet and personally thanks those who have served and sacrificed to keep our country free.
The Memorial Day parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. The parade forms from 10 a.m. to 10:25 a.m. on Temple Street in front of the Owego Police Department and First Presbyterian Union Church. You may march or ride in the parade. It goes south on North Avenue, east on Main (past VFW), south on Paige and west on Front Street (past American Legion) to the Tioga County Veterans Memorial in the Courthouse Square.
Owego Veterans Memorial Parade officials invite all veterans and their Ladies and Men’s and Sons Auxiliaries from Tioga Post 401 American Legion, Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 480, Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Tioga County Marine Corps League and Civil War units, and returning for the second year in a row the 137th New York Volunteer Infantry and Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War as well as Veterans from other American Legion and VFW posts to join them.
The parade encourages participation by Gold Star Mothers/Families, former POWs, survivors of major battles and recipients of United States military awards and decorations. Recipients are encouraged to proudly wear their Medals for Valor including the Purple Heart, Silver Star or Bronze Star.
Families are urged again this Memorial Day to make sure the parade includes their veterans and active military of the Army, National Guard, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Veterans able to walk may tell the Parade Marshall if you’d like to march as one combined unit. For veterans who are unable to walk and wishing to take part, transportation will be provided if you ask for it in advance.
Veterans Memorial officials welcome marching units to join the Owego Elks Lodge, the Owego Free Academy Marching Band, students from the Owego Elementary, Middle and High School (OFA), Boy and Cub and Girl Scout Troops, Owego Little League, Travel Sports Teams, 4H, elected officials from the Village and Town of Owego and neighboring towns and Tioga County Legislature, the National Guard’s 204th Engineer Battalion vehicles, Emergency Squads from Owego, Campville and Apalachin and Volunteer Fire Departments from Owego, Southside, Apalachin and Campville and their neighbors from Newark Valley, Tioga Center, Nichols and Candor.
Consider this an open invitation to all churches in Tioga County. Owego Veterans Memorial Committee (OVMC) welcomes your congregation and your youth groups again in this year’s parade. Remember it is okay to prepare a simple float or display to honor the many brave men and women who have given their lives in the service and protection of their county. Church pastors are asked to include a Memorial Day remembrance to fallen heroes in their Sunday Worship Service. Perhaps one was a member of your congregation.
The American flag is one of the most important symbols of Memorial Day. This day is set aside to remember the heroes who have died in the service of the nation. Fly your American flag at half-staff until noon and full staff the rest of the Federal holiday.
May is set aside as Military Appreciation Month to offer each of us the opportunity to recognize, honor, and show support for all who wear and have worn the uniform, along with the incredible families who serve alongside them.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day recognizes the extraordinary contributions and dedication of military wives and husbands. Armed Forces Day is Saturday, May 16. Next is Memorial Day on May 25 with the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.
Here are some ways to observe Memorial Day: Write a veteran and thank them for their service to the nation. Place an American flag on a veteran’s grave, especially one who does not have a family now. Visit the Civil War section of Historic Evergreen Cemetery. Nearby is the grave of a Civil War Navy Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient – one of four from Tioga County.
Conduct an oral history with a veteran you know. Organize a school observance. Honor your veteran with a tribute gift. Honor a veteran on Facebook. Add an American flag to your page. Write a Letter to the Editor to remind those in your community about the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Read a book about WWII History. Consider “Lost in Shangri-La” by Mitchell Zuckoff. It’s a true story of survival, adventure and the most incredible rescue mission of World War II. One the three rescued: 30-year-old Women’s Army Corps Corporal Margaret Hastings of Owego. She eternally sleeps in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
If you wish more information about being part of Owego’s Memorial Day parade or Remembrance Service, contact VFW Post 1371 Memorial Day Chairman Jim Raftis at (607) 687-4229 or email to jraftis2@stny.rr.com.
