On Monday, May 27, 2024, the Orchard Park American Legion Post 567 and the Orchard Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6247 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, therefore it will be necessary for all participants to form at 8:30AM behind the Orchard Park Library, 4570 South Buffalo Street. 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 Captain Kathleen Q.Urtz. Captain Urtz serves as a Logistics Readiness Officer at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, NY, within the esteemed 107th Logistics Readiness Squadron. With an unwavering commitment to excellence and a wealth of experience, she leads the Material Management fight, providing indispensable mission support to the 107th Attack Wing.

Captain Urtz embarked on her military journey in 2012 by enlisting in the US Army, initially serving as a Military Police Officer. In 2020, Capt. Urtz commissioned through Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base. In 2023 she completed Logistics Readiness Officer Courses and oversaw 750 joint personnel in New York State serving as Officer in charge in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Beyond her military achievements, Capt. Urtz also serves as a Compliance Officer for the Buffalo Occupational Safety and Health Administration Office. Capt. Urtz received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2015 and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering in 2018.

Capt. Urtz has received the Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Armed Forces Service Medal. Capt. Urtz and her family currently reside in Orchard Park.

Ms. Lydia Rodgers, a 7th Grade student from the 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 Sophomore at Orchard Park High School. We want to welcome Diana back and look forward to hearing her. The Invocation will be done by C.J. Wild, USN CHC, and the Benediction will be done by Father James Ciupek. We welcome C.J. for the first time and Father Ciupek for another year.

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

ASSEMBLY:
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND CEREMONY — MONDAY MAY 27, 2024
Parade Assembles at the O.P.Library at 8:30AM and starts at 9:00AM SHARP!

Parade Route:

• Highland Ave (behind the library), north on South Buffalo Street to the Four Comers, left onto West Quaker Street to Veterans Park.

Order of March:

• Orchard Park American Legion Post #567
• Orchard Park American Legion Post #567 Auxiliary
• Orchard Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6247
• Disabled American Veterans in Cars
• Orchard Park High School Band
• Girl Scouts
• Boy Scouts
• Orchard Park Fire Company
• Windom Fire Company
• Hillcrest Fire Company
• Fire and First Aid Trucks

Program: Colonel Adam Czekanski – Master of Ceremonies

• Raising of the Flag – Commander Robert Davis, American Legion Post 567
• Commander Timothy Shedler, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6247
• Star Spangled Banner – Ms. Diana Greisinger, a Sophomore at Orchard Park High School
• Invocation – C.J.Wild, USN CHC
• Gettysburg Address – Lydia Rodgers, Orchard Park Middle School 7th Grade Student
• Guest Speaker- Captain Kathleen Q. Urtz serves as the Logistics Readiness Officer, 107th Logistics Readiness Squadron, New York Air Reserve Squadron, Niagara Falls, New York
• Placing of the Wreathes- VFW & Legion Commanders
• Placing of the Flowers- Girl Scouts
• Rifle Squad – Members of the VFW and American Legion
• Taps – Buglers from the Orchard Park High School: Joseph Laudico and Baylee Blair
• Benediction – Father James Ciupek, Nativity of Our Lord Church
• God Bless America – Sung by Ms. Diana Greisinger (All are invited to join in)