As Canalside kicks off Memorial Day weekend with the opening of the Solar-Powered Buffalo Carousel, and the inauguration of the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief, The Battle Within Foundation and The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park will be preparing to present a non-denominational Memorial Service with full Military honors in remembrance of our fallen military personnel. The Memorial Day Military Honors and Memorial Service will take place at The Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
“We Remember Our Heroes” – The Memorial Day Service will feature an installation of 7,300 flags throughout the Monuments Garden representing the number of U.S. Veterans who died last year due to PTSD and suicide. Additionally, a wreath will be laid at each of the monuments along Monuments Garden, including the Iraq-Afghanistan Monument, Vietnam Memorial, Purple Heart Memorial, Hispanic and Latino Memorial, The Battle Within PTSD Monument, and the new African American Veterans Memorial (lead image).
Despite the best efforts of family, friends, the V.A., and scores of dedicated Veterans-based organizations, approximately 20 Veterans each day are lost to us due to complications from wounds and injuries we cannot see.
Paul Marzello, President and CEO of the Buffalo Naval Park, stated, “It is a fitting tribute to commemorate our fallen heroes on Memorial Day at the Buffalo Naval Park under the grand and glorious flag that flies above us. We are reminded by the 7,300 flags planted on the grounds around us that the pain and suffering of war continue long after our soldiers return home. Let us keep them all in our prayers.”
“It is our sincerest hope that this display of flags will in some small way help educate the public about this ongoing tragedy, provide a lifeline to the suffering, and honor our heroes for their service, regardless of where they died,” stated Dr. Mark Donnelly, The Battle Within Foundation President.
Memorial Day Military Honors and Memorial Service
Date: May 27, 2023
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 (Patriotic music by Buffalo Brass Quintet will begin at 9:30 and extend 15 minutes after the ceremony)
Venue: The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park Hangar Building – 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY 14202 | In case of rain, people will assemble inside the Hangar Building.
Following are the speakers, singers, musicians, and presentations expected to participate at the Memorial Day Service:
The non-denominational memorial service will be presented by Pastor Steven Johnson from Anchor Church in North Buffalo.
The Keynote Speaker will be 3-time Purple Heart recipient United States Army Sergeant First Class William Roland Hayes.
Opera soprano Andrea Todaro will sing our national anthem accompanied by the Buffalo Brass Quintet.
Military honors with a narrated 13-Fold Flag Ceremony will be presented by the USAF 914th Air Refueling Wing (ARW).
Learn more at www.thebattlewithinfoundation.com and www.buffalonavalpark.org.
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