The public is welcome to join in each of these events.

The first will be Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m., when the Blue Star Mothers will once again host their annual Gold Star Memorial Remembrance at Veterans Memorial Park on West Third and Logan streets, Jamestown. A second event will be the Lake View Cemetery Memorial Day service beginning at 10:45 a.m. directly following the 10 a.m. Jamestown Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25.

The Gold Star Memorial event is a yearly remembrance during the Memorial Day season. While Blue Star Mothers have active-duty and veteran sons and daughters, the Gold Star designation recognizes a family who has lost a son or daughter in the service of the United States during a time of war. This year 23 fallen men and women will be honored by name. Originally established in May 2013, the Gold Star Memorial serves as a daily visual remembrance of those who gave their life for their country. The memorial display includes a rock with a plaque honoring the fallen, surrounded by annually-flowering cherry trees.

Saturday’s service will include the presence of local dignitaries, a Color Guard, 21-gun salute, and playing of Taps by local veterans’ organizations. The participation of the local Patriot Guard and a bagpipe benediction will also be included in the program. Along with memorial wreaths, the ceremony will include the reading of each local hero’s name, followed by a moment of silence. Keynote speaker for this year’s memorial dedication is 30-year veteran Michael Canna, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel.

A memorial plaque in the Veterans Memorial Park in Jamestown is pictured.

On Memorial Day, the NY4 Blue Star Mothers will be the Memorial Day Service at the Lakeview Cemetery directly following the Jamestown parade. The service will include participation by the Jamestown Municipal Band, veterans’ organizations and auxiliaries, and several local dignitaries. The honorary speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremony is U.S. Army First Sgt. (Retired) Harry L. Snellings. Following 24 years with the U.S. Army, Snellings served the ityc of Jamestown for over 24 years as a police officer, the last 10 as the chief of police and director of public safety. Snellings currently works for the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office as a senior investigator.

Master of Ceremonies for the Memorial Day Service will be Sgt. First Class Tim Overbeck, U.S. Army Reserve. Overbeck’s three children and his wife Mary Eimers will also be participating in the ceremony.

The public is invited to both of these events, rain or shine. Limited seating is available, so those attending should bring a lawn chair and possibly an umbrella.

Since its inception during World War II, the national Blue Star Mothers of America organization has existed to provide support for active-duty service personnel, to promote patriotism, and to assist veterans’ organizations in our communities. Membership in the Blue Star Mothers is comprised of those who now have or have had children honorably serving in the U.S. Military. Chautauqua County’s local chapter (NY Chapter 4) has been actively pursuing opportunities to provide tangible and emotional support to military personnel and their families since 2007. For those interested in knowing more about the mission of the Blue Star Mothers, email bluestamothersny4@yahoo.com.