Legion plans Memorial Day parade, flag ceremonies in Lake Placid
LAKE PLACID — The Lake Placid American Legion Post 326 will observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 27 by lowering and raising flags in honor of local veterans who are no longer with us and who had honorably and unselfishly served and sacrificed for our country so we may enjoy our freedoms as Americans.
In addition, the post will sponsor its annual Memorial Day parade, followed by a closing ceremony and luncheon at the American Legion home on Main Street.
Six flags that have been flying since Veterans Day will be retired and replaced by six new flags, which will be flown until Nov. 11. Retired flags will be presented to the family members in attendance. Another flag at the North Elba Cemetery is also maintained by the American Legion Post 326 in honor of all deceased local veterans which will be retired and replaced with a new one. A wreath will be placed at the Legion’s Memorial Monument by the American Legion Auxiliary.
On Saturday, May 25, veterans from the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Adirondack Homeward Bound and St. Joseph’s Recovery Center will place flags on the graves of all veterans with markers in the local cemeteries starting at 9 a.m. at St. Agnes Cemetery, then proceeding to the North Elba and the Jewish cemeteries. All volunteers are welcome to join in.
The May 27 ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Adirondack Community Church and the World War I Memorial, where a flag honoring Roland White will be lowered and a flag honoring Robert Fadden will be raised. At 9:50 a.m., a ceremony will be held at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid, lowering a flag honoring Henry Trombley and raising a flag honoring Dennis Smythe. At 10 a.m., a ceremony will be held at the Lake Placid Health and Medical Fitness Center, where a flag will be lowered honoring John Petters and one will be raised honoring Clifford Wells. After the parade at the Legion home, a closing ceremony will be held where flags will be lowered honoring William Kelly, James Staats and Betty Jean Trantham. Flags will be then be raised honoring Robert Peacock, Douglas Bissonette and Alfred Vondell.
All veterans are encouraged to join the American Legion in the parade. The community, friends and families are invited to attend any and all ceremonies, parade and the luncheon.