Kenneth C. Furlow of the John W. Tiffany Post 53 of the VFW is pictured Thursday handing a Buddy Poppy to Charlene Bigney. Donations from the poppies help provide a variety of services to veterans. P-J photo by Eric Tichy

Memorial Day honors the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

This year, Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 is joining with Celoron American Legion Post 777 in conducting its annual Memorial Day parade to begin at Southwestern High School heading west onto Hunt Road and turning into Sunset Cemetery for a service honoring fallen veterans.

This year’s parade will feature a combine Post Color Guard from Lakewood and Celoron, Canadian Cadets Marching Band and featuring the Southwestern Middle School Band. Address speaker will be retired Army Lt. Col. Paul Fardink who is also a member of Post 1286 American Legion. A reception will follow after the services at Lakewood Memorial Post 1286, 174 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood.

Lakewood Memorial Post 1286 Auxiliary has started off this year’s services by donating more than 600 poppies to every student and faculty member of Southwestern Elementary School, along with the post donating books to teachers on “The Story of the Poppy Lady.”

Post 1286 Auxiliary members and volunteers will be at three locations handing out poppies and soliciting donations toward its veteran programs they support.

Members of Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 and Celoron American Legion Post 777 are joining to hold a Memorial Day parade to begin at Southwestern High School. Submitted photo

Locations include Don’s carwash, Save-A-Lot and Value Home Center, all in Lakewood, today and Saturday.

FALCONER BRINGS BACK FULL PARADE

A traditional Memorial Day parade will kick off at 10:15 a.m. Monday in the village of Falconer.

The parade will start on West Main Street, at Dow Street, and continue east on Main Street to the four corners. From there, the parade will turn north onto North Work Street and end at Pine Hill Cemetery where a service will be held.

Mayor Jim Jaroszynski said the village hosted a “scaled down” parade last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is the first time since 2019 when COVID hit that we will have a full memorial day parade,” he said.

Any organization that still wishes to participate in Falconer’s parade is asked to contact Steve Cybart at the Henry Mosher Post 638, Falconer Legion, at 716-665-4307.