MEMORIAL DAY: REMEMBER THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

BY SUZIE WELLS

Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor the brave menandwomenwhoservedintheUSmilitarytoprotect our freedoms but who lost their lives in that service.

Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacri ces our servicemembers make each day.

Communities converge with school and local bands, honor guards, dignitaries, service groups, and other citizens and community organizations to celebrate and honor the fallen. But why do we celebrate as we do?

Memorial Day’s origins trace back to the years following the American Civil War, with its birthplace o cially designated as Waterloo, NY. e Seneca County town of 5,000, centrally located between Rochester, Syracuse, and Ithaca, became known for its role in the Women’s Rights movement because a lot of the planning for the famous 1848 Seneca Falls convention occurred in Waterloo at the Hunt and M’Clintock houses. However, in 1866, Waterloo held the nation’s rst formal remembrance of veterans who died in the Civil War, and the US government recognizes the town as the o cial birthplace of Memorial Day.

According to Waterloo history, in 1865, Henry C. Welles “watched as a lone widow walked to the cemetery to place owers on the grave of her deceased Civil War soldier husband. How soon they forget, Welles thought, resolving to do something to make sure that those who gave their lives in defense of their country would not be forgotten.” Welles suggested placing owers on the graves of the “patriotic dead” from the Civil War, but nothing happened that rst year. When Welles mentioned it the following year to General John B. Murray, a patriotic Civil War hero, the two began plans for a local citizens’ committee to celebrate the soldiers who gave the ultimate sacri ce for their country (waterloony.com).

On May 5, 1866, with ags half-sta , the Village of Waterloo was “draped with evergreen and mourning black,” and a parade of veterans, civic groups, and residents marched to the three village cemeteries, where ceremonies celebrated soldiers whose graves were then decorated. So began the annual tradition of recognizing soldiers who served and died for the US.

In 1868, General John A. Logan, a “political general” in the Union Army, declared the rst national Decoration Day, May 30th, time to decorate the graves of the fallen and honor their sacri ces through ceremonies.AccordingtotheUnitedServiceOrganizations(USO), on May 20, 1868, more than 5,000 people decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

In May 1966, the State of New York o cially declared Waterloo, NY as the birthplace of Memorial Day, celebrating the centennial of the patriotic tradition. In 1971, the US Congress declared the federal holiday of Memorial Day to be celebrated on the last Monday each May.

Communities across the area and nation celebrate Memorial Day, coming together for parades and traditions. Waterloo retains its historic traditions, hosting a special Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day event the weekend of May 26-28th. is event hosts Civil War reenactors from across the Eastern US, including infantry, signal corps, artillery, and fraternal organizations. Encampments with reenactors present Living Histories of Civil War camp life. Reenactors serve as dignitaries, President Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Dr. Mary Walker, and spy Belly Boyd, a Northern sympathizer, and Reverend Scott.

Saturday, May 27th features a parade with wounded warriors from the Canandaigua VA Hospital, motorcycle riders from the Patriot Guard and American Legion, as well as bands, oats, and military groups.

On May 30th, which Waterloo always observes as Memorial DayinkeepingwithLogan’sOrders,childrenwilldecorateveterans’ graves,therewillbeprayerservicesinthevillagecemeteries,andthe village’s VFW and American Legion will conduct a military parade at 4 pm. Ceremonies in Lafayette Park will feature government o cials and special dignitaries.

Memorial Day 2023 marks Waterloo’s 157th consecutive Memorial Day observance. Last year’s commemoration included the dedication of the Purple Heart Wall of Honor in Lafayette Park. is Memorial Day, check out Waterloo’s Celebrate Commemorate event and/or pay respects in your own town. Henrietta hosts theirs 5/21, Brockport and East Rochester’s is 5/27, Irondequoit and Newark celebrate 5/28, and most other towns and villages in the Rochester area hold parades and remembrance ceremonieson5/29.Checkyourlocaltown/villageforinformation.

ank you to all who served and paid the ultimate price. May we all remember and appreciate your sacri ces.

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Rte. 20A Geneseo

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334-2993

Notice of Town of Groveland REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

Tuesday, June 6th @ 7pm

Groveland Town Hall

4955 Aten Rd. • Groveland, NY 14462

Nomination of Candidates are for:

Town Supervisor • Town Clerk

Town Justice • Town Council Member (2) Highway Superintendent

To be filled at the November 7, 2023 - General Election

Submitted by David Carman, Groveland Republican Chairman

585-737-5067

533-1404

DID YOU KNOW?

Dogs are wildly popular pets. The American Pet Products Association says there are 63.4 million households in the United States that have a dog, and with the exception of 2002 and 2015, that number has steadily risen since 2000. Certain breeds remain especially popular among dog owners. In August 2021, the pet insurance provider Trupanion released the most popular dog breeds of 2020, and the top five breeds were:

1. Labrador retriever

2. Golden retriever

3. Goldendoodle

4. German shepherd

5. Labradoodle

Fast Facts About The Sun

The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its highest in the sky. The ultraviolet radiation will be less severe early in the morning and later in the day.

Public Notice

BISHOP SHEEN ECUMENICAL HOUSING FOUNDATION, INC. a not-for-pro t regional housing group hereby announces its intent to apply for up to half of the state allocation from the Rural Development Home Preservation Grant Program. Grant funds will be used to moderately rehabilitate single family dwellings owned by very low-income households. e program will be administered in Allegany, Cayuga, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates Counties.

BISHOP SHEEN ECUMENICAL HOUSING FOUNDATION, INC. welcomes the public’s input and comment. A work plan is available at (585) 461-4263.

NOW HERE’S A TIP! By

Joann Derson

* Use a mesh bag to hold owers in place in a vase. Just roll or wad it up and put it down in the bottom of the vase. When you are done with the owers, you can use a stick to swish the bag around and loosen any gunk inside the vase when cleaning. Launder the mesh or just toss.

* “To make a waterproof mattress protector in a pinch, slit a large garbage bag down the side and bottom, lay it at over the mattress and cover with a beach towel. en put the sheet over that. e garbage bag protects the mattress; the towel makes it comfortable. “ -- U.D. in Tennessee

* “Keep extra liner bags in the bottom of the garbage can. ey are handy, so you will be more likely to reline the can as soon as you take the garbage out.” -- K.P. in Massachusetts

* Keep a box of baking soda in the fridge. When it’s time to replace it, dump it down the drain and follow with a small bottle of vinegar and a hot water ush. Keep your kitchen smelling nice and use less chemicals to do it.

* “Here’s a fun invitation to make and receive: Blow up a balloon and pinch (don’t tie). Write the details of the party on the balloon in permanent marker. Let it dry fully before you de ate it. en send it!” -- R.A. in Washington

Leroy Meadows

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