by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Memorial Day Observance will be held on Monday, May 26, 2025. The observance is jointly organized by the James Maloy American Legion Post 65 and the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338.
Memorial Day originated after the Civil War as a time to honor fallen soldiers. First known as Decoration Day, it began in 1868 when General John A. Logan called for Americans to decorate the graves of those who died in battle. Many communities held similar observances, but it wasn’t until after World War I that the day evolved to commemorate all American military personnel who perished in service. In 1971, Congress officially declared Memorial Day a federal holiday, observed on the last Monday of May. Today, it’s marked with ceremonies, parades, and tributes, reminding Americans of the cost of freedom.
The Gouverneur Memorial Day Observance will be held this Monday, May 26. The parade will form on Rock Island Street (by the Main Street intersection) at about 9:15 a.m. The parade will start at 10 a.m., its path winding through the village’s downtown area passing the James Maloy American Legion Post 65, the Gouverneur Village Park, crossing the Main Street bridge, passing the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338, before turning left onto Hailesboro Street in Gouverneur on its way to the Riverside Cemetery on Williams Street in Gouverneur. It is estimated that the Memorial Day ceremony will start at about 11 a.m.
The special guest speaker is 1st Sgt. Joseph Beardsley of the 91st Military Police Battalion at Fort Drum. The public is welcomed to attend a Memorial Day luncheon at the James Maloy American Legion Post 65, 163 E. Main St., Gouverneur, following the ceremony at about noon.
James Maloy American Legion Post 65 Commander Jason Carvel confirmed to the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week that local community organizations, clubs, high school marching bands, and others are welcome to join the patriotic parade. The participation list is growing with many interested in joining the observance.
The Gouverneur Wildcat Marching Band, under the direction of Olivia Montagno, will be marching the Theresa Memorial Day Parade (May 25) and the Gouverneur Memorial Day Parade (May 26). The 2025 Gouverneur Wildcat Marching Band’s theme is “Viva la Wildcats” with a medley of songs including "Viva la Vida" arranged by Michael Brown, "HandClap" arranged by Paul Murtha, and "Shut Up and Dance" arranged by Doug Adams. Assistant Directors are Ryan Burt (percussion), Jenneca Cook (honor guard), and Hailey Cook (color guard). The Drum Majorette is Brooklyn Anderson. The Mascot is Sadie Jackson. The band includes the following student-musicians: Elisabeth Bason, Louis Beaver, Kelvin Bice III, Avian Burt, Nathaniel Celley, Julia Cole, Alexis Dake, Gavin Davis, Dallas Doxtater, Kylie Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Joseph Hernandez, Robert Kulp, Laina Kurdziel, Tyler Markwick, Olivia McDougall, Cruz Pawananon, Lily Scott, Easton Smith, Mason Tribble, Evangeline Veal, and Hannah White. The Color Guard includes: Brooklyn Anderson (drum majorette), Keelee Bice, Rose Cox, Lillian Douglas, Gemma Gagnon, Karissa Hamilton, Courtney Hays, Bella Moran, Braelynn Parsons, Aryana Tarkowski, Kailey Williams, and London Wood. The Honor Guard includes: Kameran Bice, Walton Douglas, Matthew Duprey, Kendra Murdie, Mali Pawananon, Nolyn Tarkowski, Suttyn Tarkowski, and Sadie Jackson (mascot). The Gouverneur Wildcat Marching Band annually opens its season during Memorial Day Weekend. Other dates on the schedule include the following: Flag Day Parade in Gouverneur (June 14), Fourth of July Parade in Morristown (July 4), Jefferson County Fair Parade (July 8), Can-Am Parade in Sackets Harbor (July 19), Battle of the Bands at OFA (July 20) Seaway Festival Parade (July 26), and Carlton Peck Band Day at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair (July 30).
The North Country community is invited to attend the 2025 Gouverneur Memorial Day Observance, and remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation. It will be a time to honor the courage and dedication of military personnel, while reflecting on the cost of freedom and the enduring spirit of patriotism.