Amenia Memorial Day

AMENIA – The town commemorated Memorial Day on Monday, May 31, as it has done for years: at 11 a.m. at Fountain Square, with Sr. Vice Commander Rick Butler from VFW Post 5444 out of Dover leading the ceremony.

“The day is to remember our fallen heroes,� he said immediately before stepping up to the podium. “It’s in honor of all the people who sacrificed it all for the freedoms that we now have.�

That message was expressed throughout the ceremony — by veterans, by town officials, by the fire department, by the scouts, by those in the crowd — it appeared to be lost on no one.

“It’s so important to give back and recognize the men and women who have given their service to our towns,� said Dawn Marie Klingner, whose whole family was in attendance.

Town Councilman Norm Cayea, who spoke at the ceremony, asked that everyone pause for a “moment of remembrance� at 3 p.m. that day.

“This is a day to thank the men and women out there protecting us,� he said, adding that it’s important to pay tribute to those who fought and died while serving for this country. He said it’s important to recognize the Memorial Day holiday, too.

The crowd joined in with town Councilwoman Vicki Doyle for “God Bless America,� and then saluted during the placement of the wreath before the ceremony ended. Then it was back to Post 5444 for refreshments and conversation and more camaraderie with veterans from the past and present.