Memorial Day 2024 is just around the corner. The city, Parks Department, local clubs and the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council have all joined together to make this Memorial Day a special day to honor local Veterans who had paid the ultimate price or those who served and had passed away.

Fields of flags will fly at our cemeteries to show us all those who served. Along with the Parade, the Joint Veterans Council will honor a local veteran as the grand marshal who will tell us all his story.

Each year we see more and more flags flying at our cemeteries, always adding flags yet never decreasing any. VA statistics show each day we are losing 131 World War II, 600 Korean and 530 Vietnam Veterans.

With these losses we also lose their stories. So many stories that get lost.

Dunkirk is honored to have the Joint Veterans Council along with local clubs who care about Honoring all Veterans to keep their stories told. A special thanks should go to Dunkirk’s city officials and a special thanks to Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak who with countless hours of planning and dedication started Dunkirk’s Honor Banner Program that will now keep the stories of 222 local Veterans who had proudly served our country.

The OBSERVER has over the years always gave veteran stories as much space that was needed to complete their story. Many veteran stories have been told, yet many more have not.

To honor your veteran this Memorial Day 2024, start the day by attending the service held by the Joint Veterans Council ceremony and hear the Grand Marshal’s story. Attend the parade that follows. On the way home, take a nice ride around Dunkirk and see the 222 veterans honor flags of all those from our area who proudly served.

Each veteran has a story that needs to be told, if not it will be lost forever.

John Fedeszyn is a formerarea resident and Vietnam veteran.