Peekskill American Legion Chapter Holding Memorial Day Ceremony

PEEKSKILL, NY - A local American Legion chapter, Captain Oliver C. Chase Jr. Post 274, will hold a Memorial Day service in Peekskill.

Brendon Fitzgerald, a chapter volunteer, said that the service will take place on Monday, May 29 at 9:30 a.m. and will be held at Monument Park.

Post Cmdr. John Donohue shared the ceremony's line up with Patch. It will include retired Army Lt. Col. Ricardo G. Singleton as guest speaker; Singleton, who served in both active and reserve duty for about 40 years, has been awarded medals that include a pair of Bronze Stars, and he served in conflicts including Afghanistan and Iraq.

Arianna Hurtado, a Peekskill High School student who won an essay contest that comes with a $250 award, will read her work at the ceremony, Donohue added.

Peekskill High School's choir and band, meanwhile, will perform renditions of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "America The Beautiful." Singer Tim Murphy will also be on hand.

The ceremony will close, according to Donohue, with a rendition of "God Bless America" by Joseph Schuka, which will be in honor of his late uncle, Edward, who previously performed at the event.

Photo: A file image of American flags