Memorial Day is a federal holiday and a solemn day of remembrance to honor those who gave their lives in service to their country.
In Dutchess County, municipalities are gathering residents, veterans and their families at ceremonies and parades on from May 21-25.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino in a statement encouraged residents to take time to remember and reflect on the “true meaning of Memorial Day.”
“So many of our Dutchess County neighbors have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country and keeping us free,” Serino said. “We will never forget their courage nor their heroism.”
Memorial Day will be observed on Monday, May 25.
See the list below, ordered by date and time, to find a Memorial Day event near you.
Memorial Day community observations in Dutchess County
Hamlet of Hopewell Junction: 8 a.m. May 21
The American Legion Post 1758 and John Jay High School are hosting a ceremony at the school at 2012 Route 52. For more information, contact Lance Ashworth at 845-475-5834.
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office: 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21
The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Kirk Imperati will host a memorial service at the Law Enforcement Center on Parker Avenue in Poughkeepsie. The Sheriff’s Office lobby will be closed to the public until noon, due to logistics involved with the ceremony.
Town of Milan: noon May 24
The Town of Milan will host a parade and ceremony at the Milan Town Hall, located at 20 Wilcox Circle. For more information, contact Jasmin Vazquez at 845-758-5133 ext. 160.
Walkway Over the Hudson: 7:30 p.m. May 24
The Pleasant Valley American Legion Post 739 is hosting a ceremony at the flag pole at the Walkway Over the Hudson. For more information, contact Ross Hartlipp at 914-489-1164.
Hamlet of Rhinecliff: 9 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post 429 is hosting a parade from the Old School House to the center of town. For more information, contact John Imperato at 845-656-7074.
Town of Stanford: 9 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post 1793, the Leroy Campbell Post, will be hosting a parade and ceremony at Bangall Memorial Park. For more information, contact Charles Shaw at 845-868-7457.
Town of Union Vale: 9 a.m. May 25
The Union Vale Fire Company will be hosting a ceremony at On the Green in Verbank. For more information, contact Kathy Welsh at 845-762-2940.
Town of Red Hook: 9:15 a.m. May 25
The Red Hook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7765 is hosting a parade and ceremony at Red Hook Veterans Memorial Park on North Broadway. For more information, contact William Moore at 845-758-8175.
Town of Beekman: 10 a.m. May 25
The Town of Beekman is hosting a parade and ceremony located at the Town Hall at 4 Main St. in Poughquag. For more information, Alicia Turenchalk at 845-724-5300 ext. 221.
Town of East Fishkill: 10 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post 1758 and the Town of East Fishkill are hosting a parade and ceremony at Memorial Park at Route 82 and Beekman Road. For more information, contact Gina Grippo at 845-221-4303 and Lance A. Ashworth at 845-475-5834.
Town of Fishkill: 10 a.m. May 25
The Town of Fishkill Veterans Committee is hosting a ceremony at the Town of Fishkill War Memorial at 801 Route 52. For more information, contact Virgil Capollari at 845-394-3115.
Town of Hyde Park: 10 a.m. May 25
The Town of Hyde Park is hosting a parade at the old Hyde Park Drive-in at 4114 Albany Post Road, proceeding to the Hyde Park Town Hall located at 4383 Albany Post Road. For more information, contact Morgan Sacerdote at 845-229-8086.
After the parade, at 11 a.m., the American Legion Post #1303 is hosting a ceremony at the Hyde Park Town Hall and Hyde Park War Memorial at 4383 Albany Post Road. For more information, contact Michael Athanas at 845-233-4371.
Village of Millerton: 10 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post #178 is hosting a parade with a ceremony afterward at Veterans Park, at the intersection of Main Street and Dutchess Avenue. For more information, contact the Millerton American Legion Post #178 at 518-789-4755 or Bob Jenks at 518-789-4755.
Village of Tivoli: 10 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post #524 is hosting a ceremony at the Monument Hill on Broadway. For more information, contact Harold Ramsey at 845-453-7403.
Town of Pine Plains: 10:30 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post #426 and Pine Plains Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5519 are hosting a parade and ceremony at South Main and North Main streets. For more information, contact Marie Stewart at 845-546-7349 and George Keeler at 845-505-1799.
Village of Rhinebeck: 10:30 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post #429 is hosting a parade and ceremony from Mulberry Street to the Rhinebeck Cemetery on Mill Road. For more information, contact Gary Roome at 845-471-6935.
City of Beacon: 11 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post #203 is hosting a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Hall at 413 Main St. For more information, contact John MacEnroe at 914-474-5623.
Town of Amenia, Hamlet of Dover Plains: 11 a.m. May 25
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5444, local officials and the Smithfield Church choir are hosting a ceremony at the Fountain Square by the Bank of Millbrook, located at 4958 Route 22. For more information, contact Councilwoman Vicki Doyle at 845-489-7826.
Town of LaGrange: 11 a.m. May 25
Boy Scouts of America Troop 3082 and the Town of LaGrange are hosting a ceremony at the Lagrange Town Hall at 120 Stringham Road. For more information, contact Sharon Beale at 845-452-1830 x127.
Town of Pleasant Valley: 11 a.m. May 25
The American Legion Post 739 is hosting a ceremony at Mill Park at 1624 Route 44. For more information, contact Ross Hartlipp at 914-489-1164.
Town of Poughkeepsie: 11 a.m. May 25
The Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs will host a ceremony and wreath laying at the Dutchess County War Memorial, located at John K. Rinaldi Memorial Park, at the intersection of Raymond Avenue and Main Street. For more information, contact Rose Joerg at 845-486-2060.
Village of Millbrook: 11 a.m. May 25
The Millbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9008 is hosting a parade and ceremony at Franklin Avenue and Tribute Gardens Park. For more information, contact Jeff Moseman at 845-505-4336.
Village of Wappingers Falls: 11 a.m. May 25
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #5913 is hosting a ceremony at 8 School St. For more information, contact Virgil Capollari at 845-297-9813.
Village of Fishkill: 1 p.m. May 25
The Village of Fishkill is hosting a parade at the War Memorial on Main Street. For more information, contact Julie Spann at 845-896-9215.
Town of Wappinger: 2 p.m. May 25
The Town of Wappinger is hosting a ceremony at Schlathaus Park at 126 All Angels Hill Road. For more information, contact Jessica Fulton at 845-297-0720.
Nickie Hayes is the Breaking & Trending News Reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal and focuses on how to make the most of what the mid-Hudson Valley has to offer. See her most recent articles here. Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Dutchess County honors Memorial Day with ceremonies, parades
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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