“Thank you for your service” is often spoken to the men and women who serve in the military that we see in our various pathways. Memorial Day is a time to say
“thank you for your service” by honoring the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Memorial Day is designated as an annual day of remembrance to honor all those who have died in service to the United States during peace and war. Anyone can show gratitude and honor for our fallen soldiers by attending a Memorial Day Parade and participating in the decoration of the fallen soldiers’ graves at a local cemetery. Each year The Veterans Memorial and Executive Council of the City of Rochester coordinate programs and ceremonies for public attendance like the Veterans Memorial Service held at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial and the Annual Memorial Day Parade. In this year 2022, the 152nd Annual Sunday Memorial Service for The Veterans Memorial and Executive Council of the City of Rochester was held once again.
Council Commanders have conducted the Memorial Service since 1897. A printed program compiles the participating military branches and a listing of the veterans’ names, the war era or peacetime of their service, and the month and year of their transition. Families, fellow soldiers, invited officials, and more participate in honoring all the military branches and divisions of the fallen soldiers from the local region in the Memorial Service. At the end of the service, families, and attendees are provided with a red flowering plant to adorn a veteran’s grave. The history of various wars, soldiers, and military branch acknowledgments are displayed in the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.
Visitors enter the main hall entrance where hanging, 40- feet above, overhead in the tall windows are banners representing each military branch, city, and county office boldly welcoming the inquiring minds to receive the past, present, and future information of the men and women in military service. The Eternal Flame and exhibits of various war and peacetime activities offer a place of education and reflection. In the tradition of the Memorial Day Parade, a coordinated gathering of the various military branches, auxiliaries, support organizations, marching bands, officials, and families gather in representing sections to honor veterans of the many past wars. In most cities, large or small groups journey to a cemetery where the graves of fallen soldiers are decorated with an American flag, wreaths, or arrangements of red flowers such as roses or geraniums followed by a salute to the monument as part of the recognition For more information on the local Memorial Service and Memorial Day Parade contact: Al Smith at 585.544.2839 – Veterans Memorial and Executive Council/United Veterans of the City of Rochester and Monroe County, New York. We can always say “Thank You For Your Service.”
