2013 Memorial Day Plans in Woodbury

Memorial Day, celebrated during the last Monday of May, honors those who have died in service to the U.S. military.

The 2013 Memorial Day observance in Woodbury will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, May 27. The local event will be held at the Veterans Memorial on the grounds of City Hall. It’s hosted by the hosted by the Woodbury VFW Post 9024 and Woodbury Lions Veterans Memorial Council.  Initially founded as Decoration Day in 1869, Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in the U.S. military. It was made an official holiday in 1971. The Woodbury event, which typically lasts about an hour, will include: From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans—the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the …

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Rewind: Pedestrian Safety, Capital Projects, Memorial Day

A look back at some of the week’s more popular stories.

In case you missed some of the week’s top stories, here’s a recap. On this day dedicated to the nation’s fallen soldiers, we brought you coverage of the ceremony in Woodbury and 130 photos. (Thanks to Ann Blumer-LaMotte for adding pics.) This column on pedestrian safety—and difficulty crossing Woodbury roads—from Angela Johnson generated a lot of discussion. Another story from the Memorial Day event—the father of a Woodbury woman was awarded his Purple Heart after it never made it back stateside following World War II. A Woodbury man was hit with his fifth DWI charge since 2002. And the District 833 School Board finalized the contract for the new superintendent. Find out how much he’ll make as the district’s administrative leader. We asked…

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Remembered as a Hero in Woodbury

World War II veteran, 87, gets Purple Heart at Memorial Day ceremony in Woodbury.

Richard Smith, a Marine private who served in the Pacific theater during World War II, got his Purple Heart after he was wounded in combat. Only one problem. “His bag never followed him home,” said his daughter, Woodbury resident Donna Smith-Stafford, who is active in the Woodbury Yellow Ribbon Network. During Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony in Woodbury, Smith was awarded his Purple Heart once again.       Related: 'Full Measure of Devotion,' Woodbury Celebrates Memorial Day Smith, 87, who enlisted with the Marines at age 17, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, his daughter said. “I didn’t want to pin it on him in his casket,” she said. Smith doesn’t look back on his military service as a time of glory, Smith-Stafford said, and usually …

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'Full Measure of Devotion,' Woodbury Celebrates Memorial Day

Dozens of residents attended Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Woodbury Veterans Memorial.

It’s not about glory or medals. “It’s about that 17-year-old boy, in some godforsaken place, shot in the gut, holding it in with his hands, praying to his god and his mom.” That was a line from the speech of Rock Marcone, who gave the 2012 Memorial Day address Monday at the Woodbury Veterans Memorial. Under mostly blue skies, dozens of residents attended this year’s event, showing their respect and recognition for those who died while serving in the U.S. military. Marcone, a decorated 26-year Army veteran, talked about the “treasure of this nation,” the young men and women who serve in the name of freedom and equality. “That’s what we defend. That’s what we cherish,” he said from the podium. Woodbury Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens gave the …

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Margaret Wachholz

5:26 am on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Kris, thanks for the Memorial Day story, great photos and honor to soldiers this past weekend. It has special meaning to those of us stationed far away - it means a lot & gives a feeling of being connected.   more ›

Angela's Angle

This Memorial Day, Remember Them

No matter what you do this holiday weekend, take time to recognize those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

A memorial keeps remembrance alive. To memorialize something or someone is to record, to remember, to recite to the world, to every generation, that which should never be forgotten: our heritage, our history, the human cost of war. Monuments are especially helpful memorials. An art form that captures the imagination, invokes sentiment and connects us to specific events, time periods and people. Being in the presence of art is to experience with all of our senses what otherwise seems only conceptual. Like when a person touches the name of a fallen or missing hero on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Fingertips press against chiseled dents in polished granite. Souls are stirred. We remember. You need not travel far to touch history. To remember…

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Memorial Day Plans Set for Woodbury

Save the date: This year’s ceremony will run from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 28.

Woodbury will honor the nation’s fallen soldiers from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 28, at the Veterans Memorial during this year’s Memorial Day ceremony. This year’s address will be given by Ret. Col. Rock Marcone, said Ron Kane, senior vice commander of Woodbury VFW Post 9024. Mayor Mary Giuliani Stephens will give the opening remarks, and this year's event will also feature a bagpiper, Kane said. Pastor Mark LaFollette will give the invocation and benediction. Steven Yang, a member of the Woodbury JROTC, will sing the National Anthem and the JROTC will also present the Colors. Kane encouraged the Woodbury community to come out and show its support. He said the city has an active Yellow Ribbon Network and Kane also noted the efforts of …

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Video: Memorial Day In Woodbury

The city held its annual event to honor fallen soldiers at the Veterans Memorial at City Hall.

For photos from the event, click here.

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Photos: Woodbury Celebrates Memorial Day

A couple hundred people came to the veterans memorial at City Hall to honor the nation's fallen soldiers.

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Patch Picks: Favorite Memorial Day Foods and Memories

Local community members share their favorite holiday foods and memories with Patch.

With Memorial Day weekend upon us, Patch asked a few area residents what they like to do during the three-day weekend. Dr. Shelly Strong, M.D., Central Pediatrics, Woodbury For my family, this weekend is all about opening up the cabin, putting in the docks and boats, and spending time with family and friends. As a child, we’d always make red, white and blue hats and shirts with my grandma. Our bikes and wagons would also be decorated with balloons and streamers and then we’d parade around the neighborhood or cabins with our horns and music. (It’s a great way to keep busy kids happy for hours!)  A traditional dessert that the kids make comes from my grandma. It’s a 9-by-13-inch cake consisting of Cool Whip that’s decorated and topped with …

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Kris Janisch

9:08 am on Friday, May 27, 2011

Ah, Jolie... not really sure I can do that. It's a closely guarded family secret. (Let me check with grandma.)   more ›