In all the joy of celebrating the unofficial start to summer, let's make sure we take some time to honor the brave men and women this holiday is really for. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be free. Below is a list of parades happening in and around the Capital Region that you can attend if you would like.
Friday, May 24:
11 a.m.: Niskayuna High School will host a ceremony in which administrators, graduates from the Class of 1964 and members of the former VFW Lt. Vernon F. Hovey III Post in Niskayuna will honor the memory of three Niskayuna High School graduates killed in action during the Vietnam War:
- Lt. Robert S. Cragin Jr., Class of 1962
- Lt. Vernon F. Hovey III, Class of 1964
- Pfc. Richard W. Starkey, Class of 1965
6 p.m.: American Legion Post 490 will hold a Memorial Day Parade along Hudson Avenue in Stillwater.
Saturday, May 25
10 a.m.: American Legion Melvin Roads Post 1231 will host the East Greenbush Memorial Day Parade at 570 Columbia Turnpike.
11 a.m.: A ceremony at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, held near at the main flagpole assembly area, will feature the Albany Marching Falcons, a Civil War cannon salute and music.
Monday, May 27:
9:30 a.m.: Albany's Memorial Day parade will start at the corner of Central Avenue and Quail Street, and move to the steps of the state Education Building.Here are the parking restrictions and road closures. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in the Albany City Hall rotunda.
10 a.m.: The Hilltowns Memorial Day Parade along Route 443 in Berne will feature marching bands, floats, horses, classic cars, and military and emergency vehicles. It is sponsored by the Helderberg Kiwanis, who have announced a theme of "Honor and Sacrifice."
10 a.m.: The Schodack Memorial Day Parade steps off from the corner of Boltwood and Seaman avenues in Castleton-on-Hudson.
10 a.m.: The Sand Lake Memorial Day Parade will begin at Averill Avenue and end at the Sand Lake Veterans' Memorial Park, where a ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. The parade theme is the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings on the Normandy Beaches.
11 a.m.: The Halfmoon American Legion Post 1450 will host a ceremony, with refreshments to follow, at 275 Grooms Road.
Noon: The West Albany Italian Benevolent Society and Ladies Auxiliary will hold a wreath laying at West Albany Memorial Park on Fairfield Avenue in Colonie.
1:30 p.m.: The North Greenbush Memorial Day parade, ceremony and picnic will be held outside Town Hall.