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                         May 3, 2002

Highland Falls parade to honor Veterans

By Pfc Nate Jastrezmski
Staff Writer

The town of Highland Falls will be hosting an Armed Forces Day Parade to honor American service members from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan, said village Mayor Joe D’Onofrio. The event kicks off May 18 at 1 p.m.

As many as 30 organizations from Orange and surrounding counties will be participating -- including motorcycle groups, war reenactment units and soldiers from West Point.

D’Onofrio said the procession will leave West Point’s Thayer Gate and travel through town to the Memorial Park gazebo, where former Army nurses Florence Thiele and Edie Meeks will join New York Sen. William Larkin and U.S. Military Academy officials for closing speeches.

"This parade will also recognize the 50th anniversary of the Korean War," said D’Onofrio. "Highland Falls has joined the Department of Defense Korean War commemorative committee, and so during the ceremony we will raise a flag given to the town in it’s honor."

D’Onofrio said the parade is set to be an annual event, and invites everyone in surrounding counties to come and enjoy this patriotic occasion with Highland Falls and West Point community members.