Penn Yan’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will return Monday, with local veterans and community members gathering to honor those who died while serving in the United States military.
This year’s parade grand marshal will be retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Sheila K. Disbrow, a Penn Yan native and 1974 graduate of Penn Yan Academy.
Disbrow began her Air Force career in 1978 after completing officer training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. During her military career, she served in command positions in Germany, Greece, Michigan, Utah, and Florida before retiring in 2001 from Tyndall Air Force Base. Her military honors include the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters.
Veterans and parade participants are asked to gather at the Penn Yan Community Center on North Main Street at 9:30 a.m. The parade is scheduled to step off at 10 a.m. and will proceed to the Old Courthouse Lawn.
The Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on the courthouse lawn.
This year’s guest speaker will be retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Corey M. Christman, owner and winemaker of Bravery Wines in Dresden. Christman, originally from Oswego, is a graduate of Cornell University’s Executive Leadership Program and holds degrees in entrepreneurship and criminal justice.
During his Air Force career, Christman received numerous military honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and several campaign and service medals related to the Global War on Terrorism and Southwest Asia operations.
Retired Yates County Judge W. Patrick Falvey will serve as master of ceremonies. Falvey served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War and currently serves as judge advocate for the New York State American Legion.
The ceremony will conclude with a rifle salute by the color guard followed by the playing of taps.
In the event of rain, the ceremony will move to the Johnson-Costello Post 355 Pavilion on Himrod Road in Penn Yan. An American Legion Auxiliary luncheon will follow the ceremony rain or shine.
