Veterans from Falls Post #664 march up the hill on Route 64 headed to the Mendon Cemetery during the Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25. Photo by Peter Carosa
The overcast skies did not dampen the spirit of area residents who turned out to observe Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, 2026.
Spectators lined the parade routes in Scottsville, Rush, Pittsford, East Bloomfield, West Bloomfield, North Bloomfield, Ionia, Mendon, Honeoye Falls, and Lima as communities gathered to honor the fallen — those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our nation’s military. The parades also recognized the service of current military members and all who have worn the uniform.
Participants included members of local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, volunteer firefighters, Boy Scouts and Girl Scout troops, law enforcement officers, and local elected officials. In Mendon, the Honeoye Falls-Lima Middle School Band marched, while the HF-L High School Band performed in Honeoye Falls. Both ensembles played “The Star-Spangled Banner” during cemetery ceremonies.
Congressman Joe Morelle appeared in Bloomfield and Tanner Cheek served as this year’s guest speaker at the Memorial Day services in North Bloomfield, Mendon, and Honeoye Falls.
Wreaths such as this one were placed at many Soldiers Memorial markers in cemeteries throughout the area during Memorial Day ceremonies on Monday, May 25. Photo by Peter Carosa
It is fitting that we observe this day of remembrance here in Greater Western New York. In 1866, the Village of Waterloo in Seneca County held the nation’s first formal Decoration Day, an observance that later became Memorial Day. In 1966, Congress officially recognized Waterloo as the birthplace of the holiday. As we honor the fallen in our own communities, we continue a proud tradition that began right here in our region.
Those interested in learning more about the Western New York history of Memorial Day can read Chapter 46 “A Civil War Memorial” in the book 50 Hidden Gems of Greater Western New York.
