On Monday, May 29, 2023, the Orchard Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6247 and the Orchard Park American Legion Post 567 will hold the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. We will honor those brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice on the field of battle or in the line of duty, to preserve the freedoms we cherish today.

The parade will start promptly at 9:00 AM. The parade route this year is from Highland Ave, at the library, down South Buffalo Street to the Four Comers, a left onto West Quaker Street, and proceed to Veterans Park. The ceremonies will begin immediately after the parade finishes.

The guest speaker this year will be Lieutenant Colonel Kelly A. Forrest. Lt. Col. Forrest is the Public Health Officer for the I07th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, Niagara Falls, NY. She is responsible for promoting good health and reducing the incidence of communicable diseases, occupational and environmental illnesses and injuries, food-borne diseases, other diseases, and non-battle injuries for 700 wing members.

She also ensures the deployment health of the I07th Attack Wing to maintain the highest degree of combat readiness and effectiveness. Lt. Col. Forrest enlisted in the US Air Force in August 1993 and served 4 years on active duty as an Aerospace Medical Technician and then an additional 6 years with the Air National Guard. In 2003 Lt. Col. Forrest deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Col. Forrest is a highly accomplished medical professional in her military and civilian life. She currently serves as an Emergency Dept. and Cardiac Nurse. She has also served as a Director of Nursing, Director of Education and Infection Control, and Chief Nurse for 174th Attack Wing in Syracuse, NY.

Her education includes the Aerospace Medical Technician School Sheppard AFB TX, Bachelor of Science from SUNY Buffalo, Master of Public Health SUNY Buffalo, and various other military training courses. Lt. Col. Forrest has been assigned to Air Force bases in Texas, California, and New York. Her awards include Air and Space Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, Outstanding Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and several others. Lt. Col. Forrest has lived in Orchard Park since 1997 and has two children.

Ms. Enora Ninin, a 7th Grade student from Orchard Park Middle School, will recite the Gettysburg Address. The singer for the National Anthem and God Bless America this year will be Ms. Diana Greisinger. Diana is a Freshman at Orchard Park High School. We want to welcome Diana and look forward to hearing her.

The Invocation and Benediction will be done by Father James Ciupek, Pastor of Nativity of Our Lord Church. We welcome Father Ciupek back again this year.

Colonel Adam Czekanski, an Orchard Park resident, will be our Master of Ceremonies again this year. Colonel Czekanski is currently with the US Army Corps of Engineers.