Photograph by John Sipos
Pictured are honor guard members visiting 12 cemeteries on Monday and giving a rifle volley in honor of veterans who served our country.
CASSADAGA — The Honor Guard of the Cassadaga American Legion Post 1280 paid tribute to fallen veterans in 12 cemeteries on Memorial Day Monday.
All gathered at the Cassadaga American Legion Post 1280 at 6 a.m. and left at 6:45 a.m. for the first cemetery. The 13 men rode on a bus provided by Whiskey Hill of Cassadaga and driven by Mark Coon. Appreciation is extended to Coon for driving the bus.
The first stop was at the Charlotte Center Cemetery at 7 a.m. and it was 66 degrees outside and raining. The men lined up in the cemetery, led by James Hayward, a prayer was said first by Cassadaga Village and Town of Stockton Historian John Sipos, who served as the chaplain for the day, and then there was a 21-gun salute, followed by Ron Boyland playing taps on the bugle.
Susan Washington Sipos took photographs of the group. The group then moved to the next cemetery. The round trip was 48 miles.
The second cemetery was the Burnhams Hollow cemetery, followed by the Christian Cemetery in Arkwright. The group then traveled to the Bachelor Hill Cemetery, which was once the first cemetery for Cassadaga, then to Stockton to the Evergreen Cemetery and the Greenwood Cemetery. From there, the group traveled to the Oregon Cemetery in Centralia, and to the Red Bird Corners Cemetery. By the time the group reached Sinclairville, the Memorial Day parade had been canceled due to rain. The honor guard ceremony was then held at the Sinclairville Cemetery. The next stop was at the Pickett Corner Cemetery. From there, the group traveled to Lily Dale for a ceremony at their Memorial park, and concluded the tour with the ceremony and raising of the American Flag at the Cassadaga Village Park at the coroner of Route 60 and Maple Avenue. Due to the rain, no other ceremony was held at the village park.
Since more rain was expected, the Memorial Day ceremony usually at the Cassadaga Cemetery was held in the meeting hall of the Legion. The Legion Commander is Rusty Jones, who welcomed everyone, and Sons of the American Legion Commander is Brad Blizzard. The invocation was given by Legion chaplain Tom Rugani.
The village of Cassadaga Mayor William Dorman spoke, followed by Town of Stockton Supervisor Dave Wilson. Several patriotic songs were sung by the 16 members of the Valley Community Choir, and led by Debby Runge Meder. A welcome was given by Auxiliary President Ranee Kaus. The keynote speaker was Jessica Jones, Executive Petty Officer of the Buffalo area of the Coast Guard of the Buffalo Payroll. Jones is Chief Boatswain Mate of the Coast Guard.
The benediction was given by Tom Rugani, and closing comments were given by Legion Commander Jones.
Refreshments of hot dogs, potato chips and soda were provided by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary for all to enjoy.