×

No parades, gatherings this Memorial Day

Mike Larabie of the Tupper Lake Honor Guard lays a wreath during last year’s Memorial Day service in Tupper Lake. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

The spread of the novel coronavirus has derailed many annual Memorial Day ceremonies this year, but the sacrifice of military members across the nation won’t be forgotten.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced during his daily press briefing in Albany on Tuesday that Memorial Day celebrations with 10 or fewer people in attendance would be allowed, and vehicle parades would be encouraged instead of marching parades — though local governments would have the ability to block requests to hold these events if there’s a public health concern.

However, many local veterans organizations have decided to cancel their annual parades and ceremonies, instead opting for small or private remembrances.

Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day, dates back to shortly after the Civil War and is primarily meant to remember those who died while serving in the armed services.

Lake Placid

The American Legion Post 326 in Lake Placid won’t host a parade or flag ceremony this Memorial Day, according to post historian Bill Morris. The flags that would normally be lowered and exchanged will remain up until Veterans Day.

“Unfortunately due to the current circumstances and the need for social distancing we will not be holding our traditional Memorial Day festivities this year,” the legion wrote on social media Tuesday. “We are saddened that we will not have the opportunity to honor those who have bravely served for our country but the safety and well-being being of our community and patrons is of the utmost importance. Please join us in spirit this Memorial Day and take a moment to reflect on your own experiences and those of your loved ones who have served. We can’t wait to see everyone when all of this is over.”

Though the annual ceremony has been canceled, on Saturday, Legion members will place flags on graves starting at 10 a.m. while practicing social distancing, Morris said.

Saranac Lake

Saranac Lake’s Memorial Day parade is a longtime tradition, stretching back through many wars and generations. In addition to veterans, the parade normally includes fire trucks and firefighters in full dress uniform, the high school band, a color guard and, in recent years, local baseball and softball players, since the Saranac Lake Youth Baseball Association starts its season that weekend. The parade goes from the Veterans Memorial Association on Broadway to Riverside Park at the corner of River and Main streets, where a ceremony includes speakers and wreath layings. Turnout is typically large. But not this year.

Ray Boula is first vice president of the American Legion Post 447, which organizes Saranac Lake’s Memorial Day services each year. (The local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3357, of which Boula is a trustee, organizes Veterans Day.) He said this year’s Memorial Day service in Saranac Lake will be a simple wreath laying at the war monument in Riverside Park. Only about six or seven people will be present. Others are welcome to watch from a distance, separated from each other.

Legion members will mark each veteran’s grave with a flag in local cemeteries, as usual.

Legion members are also adding lights to the Korea-Vietnam war monument on Lake Flower Avenue and hope to have that done before the weekend, Boula said.

Tupper Lake

Tupper Lake’s service usually draws a large crowd, filling up a block of Park Street where the town’s veterans memorial sits. This year, however, VFW Commander Tracy Luton said there will just be a small gathering, and people can visit the memorial throughout the day to lay wreaths.

Luton, who also sits on the town council, said the Tupper Lake Honor Guard will be at the memorial at 11 a.m. to hold a personal ceremony and fire volleys in salute. Her daughter will play “Taps.”

She said the organizations that usually lay wreaths will be able to do that throughout the day as long as there are no large gatherings.

Keene

Members of the American Legion Marcy Post 1312 in Keene have decided that instead of hosting the usual public ceremony, private reflection will be encouraged.

Post Commander Tom Both said the legion plans to hang cedar flower boxes with fresh flowers at the veterans memorial site on Norton Cemetery Road, as well as on the bridge in town.

“People should feel free to come down and visit the veterans park,” Both said.

Nationally, online

The national American Legion is asking that people submit information about the loved ones they’ll be remembering on Memorial Day, so the legion can honor them on social media over the weekend. Visit www.legion.org for more information, or use the hashtag #VirtualMemorialDay on Facebook and Twitter to participate.

The United States Army Field Band will perform four times over the weekend on the band’s Facebook and YouTube pages; once on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and on Sunday and Monday at 1 p.m.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today