Memorial Day parade seeks veterans and community groups to march

Owego and Tioga County’s traditional Memorial Day parade is looking for WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, Cold War, National Guard and non combat veterans and discharged veterans as well as representatives from all community organizations, schools and youth sports teams to march on Monday, May 29. 

This gives the public an opportunity to honor our fallen heroes and to meet and thank personally those veterans who have served and sacrificed to keep our country free. 

The Memorial Day parade will step off at 10:30 a.m. on May 29. 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 your car 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. 

Veterans Memorial Day Parade officials invite all veterans and their Auxiliaries from Tioga Post 401 American Legion, Glenn A. Warner Post 1371, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 480, Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 9 of Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan, Tioga County Marine Corps League and Civil War units and pending confirmation after a schedule check for the fourth 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 Tioga County American Legion and VFW Posts.

The parade encourages participation by Gold Star Mothers and 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 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, Army Reserve, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Veterans able to walk may tell the Parade Marshall, John Loftus, if you’d like to march as one combined unit. For veterans who are unable to walk they are encouraged to drive in their own car.  

Veterans Memorial Day 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, 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 Legislators, the National Guard’s 204th Engineer Battalion vehicles, Army Reserve Training Center, 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. Veterans welcome 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 country.  

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 20. It is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve the United States’ Armed Forces. Next is Memorial Day on May 29 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 was 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 by email to jraftis2@stny.rr.com or call 687-4229.