Oxford Memorial Day Parade May 30
Additional Information
The Oxford American Legion’s Fort Hill Post will be hosting a Memorial Day Parade on Monday May 30th. The parade will line up at the Oxford American Legion Post # 376, at 17 South Washington Avenue. Stepping off at 9:30 a.m
The day will begin the day at 8 a.m. with the wreath laying ceremony and rifle salute at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery on West State Street.
OXFORD – Memorial Day has become the most important day of recognition of our armed forces. It’s a day we remember and honor our country's heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. On this Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, many homes and businesses along the parade route will be decorated with American flags and red, white and blue flowers to honor veterans and active service personnel who have served or have given their lives. Several activities -including five memorial services and a parade- will take place in Oxford beginning at 8 a.m.
The Oxford American Legion’s Fort Hill Post will begin the day at 8 a.m. with the wreath laying ceremony and rifle salute at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery on West State Street.
The parade will line up at the Oxford American Legion Post # 376, at 17 South Washington Avenue. Stepping off at 9:30 a.m., the parade will be led by the Post #376 Color Guard and Rifle Squad, Legionnaires, Sons of the American Legion (SAL's), and the Auxiliary. The parade will feature the Village of Oxford Mayor Terry Stark and the Oxford Town Supervisor Lawrence Wilcox, the Fire Department and the Fire Department Explorers. In addition, the Preston, Brisben, and McDonough Volunteer Fire Departments will have fire trucks following the Oxford Fire Dept. As always, the parade will feature the Oxford Academy and Central High School’s, ‘Pride of the Valley,’ the Blackhawk Marching Band. The band will be followed by marching Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, OYSP, and the Youth Center.
Along the parade route, be sure to wave to “Miss Poppy,” Brienne Charles, a Junior member of Oxford American Legion Auxiliary. Red crepe paper poppies will be distributed by Oxford Auxiliary members and volunteers, in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. Please give generously.
A salute honoring those who died at sea will be given at the Main Street Bridge (that crosses over the Chenango River). Oxford Legion’s Auxiliary president, Teri Webb-van Almen, will perform the wreath ceremony, tossing a memorial garland into the Chenango River, followed by a rifle salute.
The parade will turn North, up the hill on Albany Street, to the Riverview Cemetery with a ceremony and speeches honoring the memory of the departed and a rifle salute. The Legion Commander Darlene Ardron will give a greeting, and the Roll Call of the Deceased will be read by the Post Chaplain. Officiating clergy, Rev. Linda Rackliffe, will read the benediction. The National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” will be played by the Blackhawk Marching Band.
This year’s three American Legion Boys’ State delegates will be there: John Heggie, Cole Rice and Daniel Woodford. John will say the Pledge of Allegiance and Cole will read the Gettysburg Address. The American Legion Auxiliary Girls’ State delegate, Lacey Hathaway, will recite the war poem, “In Flanders Fields.”
The principle address will be presented by guest speaker, Gregory A. Johnson, US Air Force LTC Retired, Persian Gulf War veteran. The Oxford Academy and Central High School Marching Band will provide patriotic music under the direction of Julie Solomon, High School Band Instructor, and Assistant Marching Band Director, Matthew Acenowr.
The Oxford Academy Marching Band will proceed to McDonough to march in the Memorial Day Parade there at 11 a.m.
Plan your after-the-parade lunch with some BBQ chicken cooked by the SAL. This Legion fundraiser will be ready starting at 9 a.m., at the Post 376 Legion, on the Route 12 side.
Following the Riverview Cemetery ceremony, Legion members will visit the NYS Veterans’ Home residents. The color guard, selected clergy and guest speakers will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. in the recreation room.
Lastly, (around noon) the color guard will go to the Warn Ten Broeck Cemetery (seven miles south of Oxford), to place a wreath and to salute the deceased.
For more info, contact Post 376, Darlene Ardron: 843-8237, Ron Blanford: 843-2275 or (Legion) 843-8166; or email events@oxfordny.com . Visit http://oxford-ala.chenango.org/