Memorial Day in Rhinebeck (Video by Brand News Team, Inc.)
POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County officials hosted their annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the John K. Rinaldi Park Dutchess County War Memorial on Monday.
Sarah Velardo, 15, addressed those gathered saying Memorial Day is a day to remember those who gave their lives in service to the country above all other things.
“Since I’ve been little, I’ve even seen more and more people drop out of attending parades and ceremonies,” said Velardo. “Just the entire mindset of America has really changed and Memorial Day is just a really great opportunity for us to step back and realize everything that we enjoy in our country today is the result of what our veterans have done for us.”
County Executive Marcus Molinaro left the audience with a message for
them to spread after the ceremony about the significance of Memorial Day.
“It is about the best of us,” Molinaro said. “It is about the sacrifice that so many have made and it is about remembering the lives, the lives of those men and women from this community, from Tivoli to Pawling, Millerton to Fishkill and all points in between, that without concern for their own security or safety, daringly, boldly and courageously, gave their lives in service to America.”
This is the first Memorial Day ceremony at the monument since the county
took responsibility for its upkeep and planned events last November. Well
over 100 people attended and 10 wreaths were donated from various people
and groups, including Molinaro, Pleasant Valley’s USMC deceased
war hero Capt. Trevor Yurista ‘s mother, Donna Yurista, various
American Legion posts, The Boy Scouts of America troops 25 and 275, Highland
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Order of the Elks and Arlington Engine Company.
Nelson Eddie Rivera, director of Dutchess County Veterans’ Services said he wanted to send a message this year to people not to forget about veterans on Memorial Day and feels it got through judging from the massive turnout Monday.
“It was one of the best events they had here,” Rivera said. “A great number turned out; we haven’t seen this many people attend an event here before. That was my big thing this weekend was for people not to forget.”
Ceremony at the county war memorial in Rinaldi Park
