Warren County Memorial Day services scheduled

CHESTERTOWN | Traditionally, Memorial Day ceremonies in northern Warren County have possessed plenty of pageantry and patriotism, complete with parades that have drawn large crowds. This year, all but one of these Memorial Day observances will be quite different, as COVID-consciousness has downsized services so they are intended for small gatherings, primarily veterans. But the annual North Warren Memorial Day parade and ceremony, however, is to go ahead on Monday, May 31 with its customary flourishes, said American Legion Post 964 Commander Joanne Ellsworth, who is to serve as the emcee of the ceremony. "We're excited about it because our area's last celebration was the 2020 St. Patrick's Day parade right before COVID lockdown," she said. "Our Memorial Day ceremony this year will be great because everybody will be coming out, seeing each other — being a community again." Floats, veterans' and community groups, the Legion Riders, EMS personnel, local fire companies and their vehicles will be featured in the hometown-style parade. Although the North Warren High School marching band won't be participating due to COVid-protocol, a group of adult musicians led by Al Tolomeo will be in the procession which begins at 10:45 a.m. on Church Street. The parade terminates about 10 minutes later on the Veterans Memorial Plaza at the Chester Municipal Center on Main Street, where the ceremony is to be held. The services are to feature a few speakers including new state Assemblyman Matt Simpson, who served for nine years as Town of Horicon's supervisor before being elected to the state legislature. Ellsworth said that those people who are vaccinated are free to not wear masks, and others not yet vaccinated are asked to voluntarily do so. "We expect people to be responsible, use common sense and be respectful of others," she said. Warrensburg, Lake George and Johnsburg services set Elsewhere in the county, parades have been canceled for 2021. In Warrensburg, veterans' groups and their auxiliary members — along with local fire company representatives will gather at 10 a.m. May 31 at the Warrensburg Cemetery on Hudson Street to honor those who have served the nation in various wars. In Lake George, members of American Legion Post 374 will pay respects to the departed military personnel beginning at the Caldwell Cemetery on Dieskau Street, then at the Evergreen Cemetery on Birch Avenue, and at 10:30 a.m., be present at the Lake George Battlefield Park, also known as Fort George, to honor those who died in the 1755 Battle of Lake George. Then at noon, the Legionnaires will hold a service in Shepard Park. In Johnsburg, area veterans groups will be holding a short service at some point between May 29 and May 31 at the veterans memorial in town. The annual Glens Falls-Queensbury Memorial Day parade which annually draws about 5,000 spectators will not be held this year due to COVID concerns, but a remembrance service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 31 inside Cool Insuring Arena. A maximum of 1,400 people will be allowed to attend the ceremony.

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Warren County Memorial Day services scheduled

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