Memorial Day holiday celebrations planned

The Greater Rochester Memorial Day Committee is hosting two programs on Memorial Day, May 28, at the Mt. Avon Cemetery and Veteran Memorial Pointe. Observed on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is the nation's day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. The first program will be held at 9 a.m. at Mt. Avon Cemetery, at 2nd and Wilcox Street, while a second program will start at 10:30 a.m. at Veteran Memorial Pointe, 1015 S. Livernois. There won't be a parade in between the two programs. However, an exploratory Greater Rochester Memorial Day Parade Sub-Committee has been formed. Anyone interested in assisting the committee or sub-committee is advised to contact Mary Modetz at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 248.651.8137 or by email at mamo36@aol.com. Rochester business owner Vito Pampalona, a Vietnam War veteran who serves on the national board of directors for the Yellow Ribbon Fund and vice chair of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority (DDA), urged Rochester city council members on Monday, May 14, to re-instate the city's Memorial Day Parade to honor fallen veterans. In preparation for the two events, volunteers and the Rochester Fire Department will be placing flags and recognizing veterans at their grave sites in Mt. Avon Cemetery on Friday, May 25, at 10 a.m. and at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The rain date is Saturday, May 26, at 8 a.m. Those interested in participating with tending to graves, placing flags and announcing veterans names out loud in honor of their service are asked to meet at the Mt. Avon Cemetery, and to bring gear, such as clippers and garden spades to clean up grave sites. For more information, contact Tom at mt.avon.flags@gmail.com.