Greetings, 

While everyone can enjoy what's been called the kickoff for summer with travel, picnics, and event, our Veterans Community will pause this Monday, May 27, for a more somber reason. Memorial Day is the time we honor and pay respects to those of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice in protection of our nation’s freedoms. There are some lost during times of war; others away from conflict zones but lost in training and other service-related accidents. There are others who succumbed to the invisible scars of their service. And many others who passed away long after their military service but also are to be remembered. All of their families are part of that sacrifice and keep their memories close to heart.

Flags will adorn the graves of these late Military Service Members and Veterans in cemeteries across Tompkins County. Ceremonies will take place at war memorials, cemeteries, and other places to pay homage to the collective memories of our service members who are no longer here. 

The Tompkins County Legislature issued a proclamation for Memorial Day. For those who also want to pay tribute this Memorial Day, below is a list of events taking place across Tompkins County, as reported to the County’s Department of Veterans Services. 

All gave some. Some gave all. We must never forget. 

Respectfully, 
J.R. Clairborne
Founding Director
Tompkins County Department of Veterans Services

 

 
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 Memorial Day Around Tompkins County
 

Friday, May 24

1430 hrs/2:30p

• Flag placement                                                                                  Woodlawn Cemetery, Newfield

• Ribbon Cutting Celebration                                                         Veterans Memorial Park, Newfield

May 27, 2024 

0900/9a                     

•  VFW Finger Lakes Post 961 Ceremony                                         South Hill Cemetery, Coddington Road, Ithaca
•  American Legion Carrington-Fuller Post 800 Ceremony          2nd Lt. Terrence C. Graves, USMC, Monument
  * starts off tour of ceremonies around the Town of Groton        Main Street, Groton

1000/10a

• Memorial Day Service and Flower Placement                            Woodlawn Cemetery, Newfield

 

1030/10:30a

• Dryden Memorial Day Parade & Service                                       Parade Route on Main Street, Dryden
   - with American Legion Post 1134                                                 Service on the Village Green, Dryden

1100/11a                 

• VFW Finger Lakes Post 961 Ceremony                                          DeWitt Park, Ithaca
• Cornell University Military History Walking Tour                        Starts at Barton Hall, Cornell campus

1430/2:30p

• NY State Veterans Cemetery-Finger Lakes Ceremony               6632 State Rt. 96A, Romulus
  (formerly Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery)
  Keynote Speaker: The honorable Denis R. McDonough,
  the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs

1500/3p

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Ceremony                    Danby Town Hall, Danby
   - with Sydney Camp #41

 

Outside of Tompkins County

Schuyler County:
0930/9:30a

• Service at Shequaga Falls                                                                 Montour Falls, NY
  Keynote speaker: Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey (USMC)

1100/11a

• Service at the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park             Odessa, NY
  Keynote speaker: Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey (USMC)

 

Thursday, May 30, 2024
Honoring Decoration Day, the predecessor of Memorial Day

1900/7p 

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War Ceremony                   City Cemetery, Ithaca
  - with Sydney Camp #41