ENDICOTT, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – This morning, hundreds of people lined the streets of Endicott dressed in Red White and Blue to kick off the holiday festivities with a parade.
Endicott’s annual Memorial Day Parade, organized by the Western Broome Veterans Parade Committee, traveled from North Street to Madison Avenue, and finished at the Veteran’s Memorial Park Monument, behind the Endicott Police Department.
The parade featured local veterans, dignitaries, students from Union Endicott, and local organizations.
Following the parade, people gathered at the park for a memorial service to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Chaplin Dennis Nota says those that came before us, paved the way and set the standard, he says that must never be taken for granted.
“Those that are gone created a clear pathway for us to continue on. We must never waver from that path of freedom and democracy. Take their memories, take their dreams, and walk forward. Shouldering the cost of freedom. Carry it high and proud,” says Nota.
The ceremony included a performance of Amazing Grace by the Edward P. Maloney Pipe Band and finished with the playing of TAPS by the Broome County Director of Veterans Services, Brian Vojtisek, and trumpet players from UE’s school band.
Just about an hour later, the City of Binghamton hosted the return of its Memorial Day tradition after a 4-year hiatus.
Binghamton’s Memorial Day Parade stepped off at the American Legion Post 80 in Downtown and marched to the Broome County Courthouse.
The city set up a viewing stand and the Broome County Clerk, Joe Mihalko was the emcee for the parade.
The parade included local VFW posts, the Triple Cities Choppers, Twin Tiers Mustang Club, the Rumble Ponies and many more.
Mihalko gave a brief history of the holiday and says that in 1966, Congress declared Waterloo, New York as the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
