Oneonta Is Ready To Honor Vets With 2022 Memorial Day Events [Gallery]

Memorial Day Weekend is almost upon us and along with all the fun things like family and friend gatherings, cookouts, camping and General Clinton Canoe Regatta fun, there is something very important to not forget. Memorial Day is set aside for us to honor our veterans: those that have passed and those still with us. It's so easy to show veterans our appreciation by attending a Memorial Day parade and Oneonta will once again bring this tradition to area residents at 10:00 am on Memorial Day, May 30. Line-up will take place on Market St. in front of Foothills Performing Arts Center beginning at 9:00 am.

Former Chief of Police, Douglas Brenner will be the Parade's emcee, introducing participating parade groups from Muller Plaza. This year's parade Grand Marshalls, John and Joan Brooks, have been selected by The Oneonta American Legion because of their service to this country and to the Oneonta community.

Following the parade, at 11:00 am in Neahwa Park, along the Veteran walkway, a ceremony to remember fallen veterans will take place with City Council member Len Carson, Reverend Randy Palada offering a benediction, comments from Mayor Mark Drnek, and past Mayor Gary Herzig, American Legion Commander Terry Hackenreader,  and readings by the Oneonta High School valedictorian Stephen Baker along with salutatorian Elizabeth Brantley speaking Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the John McCrae poem In Flanders Fields. There will also be a laying of the wreaths by Oneonta Scouts, and a performance of Taps by Oneonta High School students. The public is invited to come to the ceremony in the park.

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Last year's parade was great and this year is expected to include much more with added Oneonta school marching bands and additional community groups. Please come out to honor our community military veterans.