We celebrate Memorial Day during the pandemic in a different way than we are use to. There will be no parades or large gatherings that we are use to. Services will be attended by fewer and farther apart. The Town of Newburgh has a memorial service scheduled at 10am Sunday, May 24th in the Town Hall parking lot as usual. Social distancing and masks are required.

This 3 day weekend will be private and scaled back. The one thing we can all do as a nation is recognize our selfless heroes by displaying the American Flag appropriately and proudly. Remember that this is a celebration of sacrifice during duty, not to be confused with Veterans Day or Armed Forces Day. Flags should be displayed at half mast from sunrise until 12 noon on Memorial Day, May 25th, at which time they should be raised to the top of the mast. NYS was under half-staff for those who died due to COVID until PAUSE ended. The President has ordered flags at half mast from May 22nd until May 24th for COVID victims. We remind those who leave the flag up at night that it should be lit.

In summary our flags that are at half mast for COVID victims and our military casualties should all be raised back up at noon on Monday, May 25th together as one nation filled with gratitude and respect.