The Garden City American Legion, William Bradford Turner Post 265, has scheduled three significant events to commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 30th. The day's activities will begin at 9:00 A.M. with a non-denominational service at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. A Parade thru the Village of Garden City will step off at 10:00 A.M. from Cherry Valley Avenue and 10th street, go east on 10th Street, south on Franklin Ave. and west on 7th Street, ending at the Middle School. The reviewing stand will be located just west of the Library.

There will be a flyover of three Army Blackhawk helicopters at approximately 11:15 a.m over the Middle School ceremony. The helicopters are from the 42nd Division’s Aviation Battalion to thank Garden City for its contributions to the division since its inception at Camp Mills - Garden City in 1917.

At the Middle School, several interesting events will take place. For the past three years the history Club, under the direction of Ms. Jeniffer Rumbelow, has been planning a Veteran's Garden & Patio in front of the school. It has now been built and will be dedicated by the students in the Club and members of the American Legion Post. It was partially financed by a grant from New York State, obtained by Senator Kemp Hannon, with significant additional funds contributed by Legion members Michael J. McMahon and Herb Blauert.

Following the dedication, the raising of the flag in the center of the new patio dedicated to each branch of our armed forces, and the playing of the "Star Spangled Banner" by the Garden City High School Band under the direction of Mr. James McCrann, the annual Memorial Day Program will continue. This past November, Veterans Day focused on rededicating the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division monument at the corner of Clinton Road and St. James Street South. Since then, 17 members of the famous 69th Regiment, 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division, have been killed and 6 have been wounded in Iraq. We will be honored by having two Wounded-in-Action soldiers, Specialist Richard Cormier and Specialist Daniel Swift, present to be recognized. Both were wounded in Iraq and recently received Purple Heart Medals at a ceremony at the 69th Regiment Armory, in Manhattan. Colonel Russell Catalano, commander of the state-side units of the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division, located at Fort Drum, New York, will also be present. Thanks to Col. Catalano, and weather permitting, we will have the exciting experience of seeing a "fly over," by three Blackhawk Helicopters from the Air National Guard, during the Middle School ceremonies, that begin immediately after the parade at 11:00 A.M.

The Middle School program will culminate with the placing of wreaths on the memorial stone, followed by a roll call of our honored dead, a brief prayer, and the playing of "Taps" by Erin Alvey and Alex Gallo of the Garden City High School Band. In case of inclement weather, the ceremonies will take place inside the Middle School Auditorium at 11:00 A.M..

With your support, this will be a fitting Memorial Day Tribute to our fallen heroes.