Join us "Walking With Heroes"

A tour of Arcade Rural Cemetery with veterans, Saturday May 26, 2012.

When Memorial Day had its origins as “Decoration Day” after the Civil War, it was a day to decorate the graves of soldiers who had died during the war. With the passage of time, it has become a day to honor all deceased veterans.

             On the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, May 26, members of Hendershott-Manness Post 374, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Hugh Lynch Post 737, American Legion, and the VFW Auxiliary, will take part in a new event we are calling “Walking With Heroes” to honor many of the veterans buried in Arcade Rural Cemetery. The living veterans and Auxiliary members will be standing or seated near the graves of deceased veterans from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. They’ll welcome the opportunity to talk with visitors about the war in which “their” veteran served, and in many cases they’ll be able to discuss the military experiences of the deceased veteran.

In addition to the event in the cemetery, the Arcade Historical Society will have an exhibit at the Gibby House with additional information about all veterans buried in Arcade’s three cemeteries (32 at St. Mary’s in East Arcade, 107 at Sts. Peter and Paul, and 179 at Arcade Rural). The Gibby House at 331 West Main Street, Arcade, NY 14009, will be open 2-4 p.m. on Saturday May 26 as well.

When visiting the cemetery, please park your vehicle at the cemetery entrances on Park Street or Prospect Street. AHS volunteers will be there to assist you with directions. We ask that handicapped and elderly visitors be driven to the top of the hill in the cemetery to discharge their passengers. Remember, this is a picturesque, old, rural cemetery which is hilly and has woodchuck holes, so walk carefully.

The event will go on rain or shine.