Mayor Thomas M. Roach, in cooperation with the Mayor’s Veteran’s Board, today announced plans for the City’s annual Memorial Day Commemoration.
With the challenges before us to provide a safe environment for our veterans, participants, spectators and staff, hosting our traditional parade and ceremony unfortunately is not a feasible option this year. The Veterans Committee has decided to cancel the parade and ceremony and in its place, we will be broadcasting a virtual event. The event will be aired on Optimum channel 75 and FiOS channel 47. It will streamed at http://whiteplainsny.swagit.com/live/ on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th every hour starting at 10:00 am thru 10:00 pm, and then for the remainder of the week at noon and 5:00 pm.
Our deceased Honoree this year is Robert Joseph Donnelly. After college, Bob enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam from 1970 – 1972. He attained the rank of Captain. Soon after his honorable discharge from the Marines, he became a Criminal Investigator for the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. He went on to become a Senior Investigator.
Captain Donnelly was an active member of the American Legion Post 135 in White Plains. He served as Commander, Chaplain and performed community and volunteer work on their behalf.
Mayor Roach said, “Memorial Day remains just as important today as when it was first enacted in memory of the soldiers who fought in the Civil War. Great sacrifices are made every day by the men and women of the Armed Services. Their sacrifices remind us anew to be grateful for what we have as a community and a country.”