Photos: Lake George honors fallen heroes with Memorial Day ceremony and parade

Flag-waving children lined Canada Street Saturday morning waiting for the Lake George American Legion Post 374 annual Memorial Day parade. The parade, and the ceremony that followed, were held on May 27. The event is a tradition the Lake George Legion began in 1921 and has continued each year since.

The parade stepped off from West Brook Road shortly before noon, with the Lake George Steamboat Company mini calliope truck leading the procession. Members of the American Legion, the Legion Auxiliary, the Lake George Fire Department and Auxiliary marched along Beach Road and up Canada Street to Shepard Park. The Lake George Community Band played patriotic music while riding up Canada Street on a float draped with red, white and blue bunting. A column of firetrucks from Lake George, North Queensbury and Bay Ridge Fire Departments brought up the rear.

At the Veterans Memorial in Shepard Park, Village of Lake George Mayor Ray Perry spoke:

“We’re here today to honor our heroes, to remember their achievements, their courage and dedication and to say thank you for their services. Whatever tribute we offer, with resolute adoration to the fallen and their loved ones, we know it will fall short of sufficient, but we offer it nonetheless.”
Mayor Ray Perry

Legion Administrator Angela Vernum asked those present to also remember currently active members of the military, saying: “We have armed forces stationed around the world to assure our homes are safe. Our soldiers make their beds on every continent. Our sailors and our Marines in their ships — a presence on every sea. Our Air Force guards us from up above.”

Vernum continues, “We have military forces stationed in many parts of the world that puts them in harm’s way. Many more are stationed at locations far from their families and homes. Daily we read of those wounded or killed as they serve to protect us. On this Memorial Day, as we remember those we have lost, let us also pray that those who guard our nation, wherever they are stationed, come home to our families safely. “

Four wreaths were placed at the Shepard Park Veterans Memorial. These wreaths, says Vernum, represent the flowers that have become part of the ritual of mourning those lost. Following the laying of wreaths, the Lake George Jr. High Chorus sang “America” and the Jr. High Band played “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A trumpeter with the Lake George Community Band played a mournful Taps. Following the ceremony, Vernum invited the public to the American Legion Hall for refreshments.

The Lake George American Legion will be holding its annual POW/MIA remembrance ceremony atop Prospect Mountain on Sunday, June 4, at 1 p.m. The toll to drive up the mountain on the Veterans Memorial Parkway will be waived for those attending the service.