Transforming a problem into an opportunity results in excellent ideas, products, or marketing solutions. A muddy trail which could not be used by the Youth Department for this year’s Easter Egg Hunt led to the idea of using, with great success, the Veterans Park and its surrounding area as a location for that event.

While Veterans Park got its largest and youngest “occupancy” ever, it became clear that this relatively new town park (down the hill from the Town Hall) was not known to many residents who just discovered it that day.

Inspired by past results, the Youth Commission Chair, Jessica Knapp, came up with the wonderful idea of a special ceremony at the Veterans Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013, at 11:30 am.

In order to create a photo memory bank, all town residents – past and present – and their relatives are invited to share photos of family members who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, especially those who have given their lives serving. Scanned photos would be displayed at the Veterans Park.

Please bring photos by Friday May 17, 2013 to Kathleen Sergio, the Town of Rochester Town Clerk, at Rochester Town Hall, 50 Scenic Rd, Accord, NY 12404, 8:30-noon and 1:00-4:00 PM, (845) 626-7384 (you can call and then email the photos.)

All are welcome to come down and say a few words in remembrance. We would love to have as many children as possible introducing their attending veteran relatives, or sharing stories about those no longer alive or able to attend. Children playing musical instruments are invited to share their talent.

This ceremony could be a first step towards establishing a town tradition: honoring our town’s veterans through an educational meeting of generations.

The event will take place before the parade sponsored by the Accord Fire Department (which kicks off at 1:00 pm and is followed by a Memorial ceremony at the Fire House). The members of the Youth Commission hope that residents, neighbors and friends will participate in both events.

Please remember to bring or send photos to our Town Clerk by May 17, together with contact information, the name of the veteran, when and where served, and if memories would be shared by a family member. Thank you!

Manuela Michailescu

This post was published as a letter to Editor in the May 3, 2013 issue of Blue Stone Press, under the headline “Honoring the veterans and sharing remembrances on Memorial Day.”