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Municipalities across the Hudson Valley are preparing to honor Memorial Day with various ceremonies and events. In Fishkill, the annual Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at the War Memorial on Monday (May 26) at 10 a.m. Meanwhile, Ulster County will host a candlelight vigil on Thursday (May 22) at 8 p.m. in front of the County Office Building in Kingston to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On Memorial Day itself, the City of Newburgh will hold a parade on West Street at 10 a.m., followed by services starting at 11:15 a.m. This year marks 80 years since the end of the Second World War, adding special significance to the commemorations.
In addition to these events, other communities in the Hudson Valley are also hosting ceremonies. For example, Mamaroneck will hold a ceremony at the Fire Department on Thursday (May 22) at 6 p.m., and Westchester County will have a service at Lasdon Park on Friday (May 23) at 11 a.m.
These events provide an opportunity for residents to remember and honor the men and women who served in the nation's armed forces. Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, originated as Decoration Day following the Civil War and was established by John A. Logan to decorate the graves of war dead.