Monday, May 25, is Memorial Day and the Memorial Council has been very busy with preparations. From lining up this year's program, placing flags on veteran's graves and getting the square cleaned up they seem to be ready to go with Wellsville's annual observance. This year's program is outstanding. It is second to none other.
Starting at 9 A.M. with a musical prelude by the WHS Band the exercises get underway at the 4th Street Memorial Park. Master of Cremonies Nunzio Lombardozzi will issue the Call-to-Order and introduce the guests. Mayor Joe Surace will give the welcome followed by the Raising of Colors by members of the Memorial Council & the WHS Band. Rev. Troy Warner will offer the invocation followed by remarks from Councilman Joe Soldano & Todd Farnsworth. There will then be a Memorial To Fallen Veterans by the Memorial Council and a musical selection by the band. Addresses will be given by Memorial Council member Don Brown and Her Honor, Judge Melissa Byers-Emmerling. Remarks will then be given by the Master of Ceremonies followed by benediction offered by Rev. Bill Rudder.
After ceremonies at the Square a parade will form and proceed to Springhill Cemetery to continue this traditional observance. Anyone interested in joining the parade is welcome with no preregistration required.
At the cemetery a Call-to-Order will once again be issued followed by lighting of the Eternal Flame by Memorial Council member Dale Barnhart. The raising of the flag will be done by the Council and the WHS Band. All assembled will recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Invocation will be offered and the guests will be introduced followed by a welcome to all by WWII veteran and Council President Melvin Boggs. After a musical selection by the band Taylor Buzzard will recite Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Emmalee McIntosh will then recite Flanders Field and Zach Koopman will present the Hollowed Ground Reading. The mayor will give some remarks and Rev. Rudder will give ministerial remarks. Rivers of Joy will be played by the band followed by a speech by Wellsville native Judge Byers-Emmerling. Following the speech rewards will be presented by the Council followed with remarks by Rev. Warner. All assembled will then sing God Bless America accompanied by the band. A silent prayer will be given for all veterans on foreign ground followed with Taps by the Firing Squad & High School bugler. The eternal flame will then be extinguished, followed with remarks from Lombardozzi and benediction by Rev. Warner.
If it's raining all ceremonies will be held at the WHS Auditeria.
The WHS Band is directed by Jennifer Gooch. Also participating in the exercises is Boy Scout Troop 29 & Scout Master Tom Eberhart. WFD Chief Bill Smith & WPD Chief Joe Scarabino will take part in the activities along with Major McGraft and the Beaver Local Marine Corp Jr. ROTC.
Memorial Day was originally called Declaration Day when it got started back in 1865 to honor fallen Civil War veterans and has grown over the years to include all veterans. It's a tradition rich in this nation's history to pay homage to all veterans that answered the call to service for our country. The people of the ville should well be proud of the efforts of the members of the Wellsville Memorial Council in organizing this traditional tribute to our veterans in a first rate fashion. It allows the rest of us to raise our heads with pride to be able to join in the tribute. You don't want to miss this year's observance.
ole nib
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