Lockport prepares for annual Memorial Day activities

In honor of veterans and the sacrifices made by those who have served this country, the annual Memorial Day activities will take place in Lockport Sunday, May 27.

Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 2535 will be hosting this year’s event on behalf of the Navy Marine Club of Lockport, Navy Ship 110, the Marine Corps League and American Legion B. Leo Dolan Post No. 410.

As in the past, the Memorial Day theme is “Always Remember” and the official colors are red, white and blue.

Selected as this year’s honorary Grand Marshal is Stan Moreland. The United States Marine Corps veteran served from May 1967 to May 1970.

“It is a privilege to have been selected,” said Moreland, a lifelong Lockport resident.

He has been a member of the Lockport Devil Dog Detachment Marine Corp League since 1978, was a member of the Lockport Honor Guard, a past chairman of the Lockport Joint Veteran Auxiliary and a member of the Moose Lodge.

He began helping with the Memorial Day parade in 1986 and has served as parade marshal since 1994. He said that planning the parade has been a “passion” of his and he wants to see it continue for years to come.

“I feel we have to remember that the freedom that we have, other people earned for us,” said Moreland. “We need to remember.”

The day will begin at 8 a.m., where the procession will gather at the VFW, 112 Caledonia St., to begin a series of brief wreath laying ceremony at each of the official monuments throughout the city.

At 8:30 a,m, a ceremony will take place at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, at the flagpole. At 8:45 a.m. a ceremony will be at Glenwood Cemetery, at the circle in new section. At 9 a.m. a ceremony will take place at Outwater Park and the monument.

At 9:15 a.m. a ceremony will be held at Ida Fritz Park, at the monument. At 9:30 a.m. a ceremony will be at Grossi Park, at the flagpole, and at 9:45 a.m. at Summit Park, at the monument.

A ceremony will also take place at 10 a.m. at Altro Park, at the flagpole, and at 10:15 a.m. at Veterans Park, at the flagpole.

A formal Memorial Service will then take place at 11 a.m. at Colds Spring Cemetery.

Groups and individuals participating in the Memorial Day Parade will assemble at noon, at the Veterans’ Memorial on East Avenue.

The parade will begin at 1 p.m., and travel down East Avenue/Main Street to the courthouse.

All local Veterans are invited to participate in the parade as a featured marcher, along with Moreland. Transportation for all participating Veterans will be provided by Grand Tours and Ridge Road Express.

An open house will then follow at the VFW.