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Lewiston's 2019 Memorial Day ceremony promises to be best yet

Sat, May 25th 2019 09:55 am

By Norm Machelor

Lewiston’s Memorial Day Remembrance Committee

Lewiston’s Memorial Day Remembrance Committee wishes to thank everyone who has worked this spring to prepare for our third Memorial Day celebration of the lives of the men and women who have sacrificed everything for us.

On Monday, May 27, the Memorial Day Remembrance Committee has a great event planned for the people of Lewiston. Once again, our parade will step off at 11 a.m. onto Center Street. Our parade is relatively small as it heads toward Academy Park – less than an hour in time. And, as before, its purpose is to lead the people of Lewiston and our guests to the real point of our celebration: to pay tribute to our honored dead at a memorial in front of the Veterans Memorial at Academy Park.

The Memorial Day ceremony will include the laying of a remembrance wreath by VFW Post 7487; a keynote speech by the acting Commander of Coast Guard Station Niagara, CPO Nathaniel Fraze; the wonderful Lewiston Choraleers; the stirring taps by Karl Miller of Bugles Across America; a black powder rifle salute by Hosingtons Ranging Company; Revolutionary War reenactors; and the beautiful and precise military honors flag-folding ceremony provided by the Niagara Falls Air Force Station.

We are pleased to report that participation by local groups in our parade has increased this year. It is our intention that many local civic and businesses join the parade. It is not necessary to build a “float”; we just want you and your friends and colleagues to march with us. And it is not too late to join!

The Kiwanis Club of Lewiston will once again provide the parade marshals, lead by Parade Manager Jerry Wolfgang. And the International Order of Moose will provide security and seating assistance at the luncheon.

Once again, a veterans float will be provided by Emery Simon. All veterans – any time of service and any part of our United States Armed Forces – are welcome to ride. Veterans: You don’t have to join an organization or dress in a uniform to honor these men and women who served alongside of you and did not come home to their loved ones. Please call Vince Canosa of the VFW at 716-343-4358 to ride in their honor.

Our Children’s Honor Guard Float will be available once again this year again. To get your kids (and their parents for the littlest ones) a ride in the parade, please contact Village of Lewiston Recreation Director Brendan McDermott at 716-754-9123.

In 2018, we fed a record crowd at the community luncheon. As was the case then, this year’s lunch will be provided by the Brickyard Brewing Company group of restaurants. Desert will served up by Hibbard’s Original Frozen Custard.

Did we mention that it is a free dinner for all who come to our ceremony?

Where are you going to be on Memorial Day? If you live in Lewiston, there is only one place to be: Lewiston’s Memorial Day Remembrance Committee is inviting you to join us.

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