Local

Memorial Day Parade Honors Those Who Gave All

Jun 1, 2022

Hundreds of people gathered along Broadway in the City of Newburgh on Monday, May 30 to see the annual Memorial Day Parade which featured numerous floats and groups representing various organizations, such as the Newburgh Free Academy Marching Band, pictured, who paid tribute to those who sacrificed their all for the greater good. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

By Valerie Lopez

NEWBURGH – The City of Newburgh had its first Memorial Day parade since 2019 on Monday, May 30. Various community, military, and religious organizations all lined up on Richman Ave. then turned onto Broadway and made their way to Washington’s Headquarters.

People young and old proudly waved their American flags as radio station “K-104” played “God Bless the USA” to honor deceased Veterans.

This parade was dedicated to three veterans, Eugene Lorenzo Siles Watkins deceased November 5, 2021; 2019 grand marshal, Charles Arthur Leo, deceased March 25, 2021, and Richard W. Drago, deceased August 21, 2022. Each were honored in the parade with cars that displayed their names.

Newburgh Councilmember Giselle Martinez, Orange County Legislator Genesis Ramos, Newburgh Councilmember Anthony Grice, Newburgh Councilmember Robert Sklarz, Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey, NY Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson and Newburgh Councilmember Ramonda Monteverde march down Broadway in the annual Memorial Day Parade in the City of Newburgh on Monday, May 30, 2022. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Master of Ceremonies Brian Denniston stated, “Regina had chosen three very special people to be remembered. Eugene Watkins was so proud to be a veteran and was such a great man. Charles Leo, a hard name for me to say… a very close friend and a wonderful man whose daughter Maryann Leo Dickenson served on our council. He was also a Grand Marshall the last year we had the parade in 2019. Then we have Ricard Drago the commander of the purple heart. He was taken from us too soon and prior to his untimely death, he had plans to marry the woman he loved very much who is here with us today playing Martha Washington, Karan Monti.”

This year’s Grand Marshal was Robert Lare. Lare was a Marine Corps veteran who served from 1960 to 1964 with an Honorable Discharge. After the Cuban Missile Crisis, Lare was transferred to Marine Barracks 8th, in Washington, DC. Lare was there to witness the Martin Luther King, Jr. March, and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

This year’s Parade Marshall and committee chairperson, Bruce Lubkeman, lead the parade followed by 105th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard Honor Guard.

The color guard makes its way down Broadway during the annual Memorial Day Parade in the City of Newburgh on Monday, May 30, 2022. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

“This was my very first parade and to do it locally was amazing. Memorial Day is honoring those who served and died before us. We are honoring them in our service today,” Christal Olivero of the Air National Guard said.

This year’s parade committee included Special Events Coordinator Regina Angelo, Master of Ceremonies Brian Denniston, Marry Keller, and Ann Kuzmik.

Marry Keller said, “I would like to personally thank Brian Denniston and Ann Kuzmik for stepping in for Regina while she was out in March, thank you for helping me put this parade together. Memorial Day is time to pay our respects to the deceased vets and it’s a very humbling experience.”

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