This year’s Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Monday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Old Court House Lawn. The guest speaker is Ward Abbett.
Ward was born in Manhasset, attended The Citadel, graduating in 1966. He joined the Army after graduation and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 with the 11th Armored Cavalry, leading a platoon of eight assault vehicles and 30 soldiers. After returning from Vietnam, Ward went to work as an engineer at Kodak, where he worked for 34 years.
During his service in the Army, Ward was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, three Bronze Star Medals with combat “V” and the Silver Star Medal.
Ward and his wife Nancy have lived on the lake in Penn Yan since 1973 and have two adult children.
Mr. Abbett with a spider monkey that was his units mascot (photo: provided)
The Master of Ceremonies will be Mark Moon, who served as a Sergeant in the US Marine Corps during Operation Enduring Freedom. Moon is currently the First Vice Commander for the Johnson-Costello American Legion Post #355 in Penn Yan. The color guard will do a rifle salute followed by taps at the end of the service.
In the event of rain, the ceremony will be conducted at the Johnson Costello Post 355 Pavilion located at 2001 Himrod Rd, Penn Yan. A luncheon will follow rain or shine at the Pavilion, prepared by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 355.
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