A BEAUTIFUL DAY
Lansingburgh parade marches on despite rain to honor those who sacrificed
TROY, N.Y. >> Rainy skies didn’t stop the Veterans of Lansingburgh 21st annual Memorial Day Parade from marching through the city on Monday.
Patriotic participants and parade-goers didn’t mind getting wet in order to honor those who served and sacrificed in the country’s armed forces.
“They did a lot for us,” said Jean Gannon of Albany, adding that attending in the rain is a small way to say thank you. No matter the weather, she said, “We come out and support.”
Ann Kovacs of Cohoes feels the same. “I still come, rain or shine,” she said, standing under her umbrella waiting for the event to start. “I don’t like to miss a parade.”
Kovacs has been coming to the Lansingburgh parade for many years, to see her son, who is now a retired National Guard veteran.
Hundreds of spectators stood on the sidewalks with their umbrellas and raincoats, despite the unrelenting rain.
“It’s a beautiful day,” said parade announcer and U. S. Marine Corps veteran David Kissick, comparing it to conditions that military members endure overseas. “Servicemen, servicewomen don’t worry about the weather.”
Kissick continued, “I mean it when I tell you this is a beautiful day, because today we woke up and we’re going to honor and we’re going to say thank you, not just to the veterans, but to their families.
Parade f l oats, f i re trucks, veterans groups and marching bands all came up Second Avenue in Lansingburgh as they do each Memorial Day.
Leading the parade was grand marshal J. Thomas Burtnick, a Lansingburgh native and U. S. Navy veteran, followed by honorary grand marshal Robert Patrick Sr., another Lansingburgh local who served in the U. S. Air Force. Both men were recognized for their service to their country as well as their longtime involvement in the community.
Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino thanked the Veterans of Lansingburgh for putting on the parade, and the crowd for being there. “Let us remember and be thankful for all of those who have served our country, and in particular this weekend, those who have given their last full measure for this country, that we can enjoy the freedoms and liberties that we so cherish. God bless you all and God bless this great nation,” she announced from the reviewing stand.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, noting that the community could not be deterred by a little rain, said, “Today is a sacred day.” The mayor explained that Memorial Day is a time to remember the people who gave their lives in support of the nation. “I’d like to thank you all for turning out, showing them the spirit that Troy has,” Madden said, thanking the Lansingburgh for their efforts.
Congressman Paul Tonko also marched in and spoke at Monday’s local parade. “While it was originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day reminds us that we decorate those tombstones, those graves of our veter- ans with flags and flowers, cherishing the work they did for this nation, protecting and promoting our freedoms to people around the world, and to make certain that we are a people that continues to live free. While we continue to carry on with the tra- dition of decorating with flags and flowers, let’s every day decorate the grave of our fallen heroes by assuming the great responsibilities that are attached to each and every freedom for which they fought, and oftentimes died,” he said. “Enjoy this parade. Let’s honor our vets. It’s a day of solemnity which draws to mind the greatness of those individuals and what they mean to our freedoms.”