Parade is Monday

May 22, 2008 03:08 pm

— Cooperstown’s Memorial Day Parade will step off Monday at 11 a.m. on Main Street in front of the Veterans Club. It will proceed to the Soldiers and Sailors monument in front of the Otsego County Courthouse.

Since last year’s service, the monument has undergone an extensive restoration. The guest speaker this year will be Richard Hanson, a retired Cooperstown Central School teacher, Cooperstown native, and Post 7128 VFW member.

Officers participating in the ceremony include VFW Commander, Tom Williams; VFW Sr. Vice Commander, Bill Devenpeck; VFW Jr.

Vice Commander, Alan Christman; American Legion Commander, Mike Boyson; American Legion Auxiliary President, Carol Affourtit; and VFW Auxiliary President, Mary Welch. Master of Ceremonies will be VFW Adjutant Doug Walker. American Legion Chaplain, Henry Green will give the invocation and benediction.

Other groups scheduled to be in the parade include the Cooperstown, Fly Creek and Hartwick fire departments, CCS Marching Band, local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. There will also be three brief memorial services:  9:15 a.m. — Fly Creek at the Fire House.

 9:30 to 9:45 a.m. — W.W.I monument at the east end of Pine Boulevard.  9:45 to 10 a.m. — Lakeland Shores Cemetery.

After the parade, there will be an open house with food and refreshments at the Vets Club.