Greece town supervisor Bill Reilich joins American Legion Post 468 to host Memorial Day parade and remembrance ceremony honoring fallen heroes

Greece, New York – The Town of Greece came together on Monday, May 26, 2025, for a heartfelt Memorial Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich and American Legion Post Number 468. The annual event served as both a celebration of community and a solemn tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to the United States.

The day began with the Memorial Day Parade at 11:00 a.m., drawing crowds of residents lining the streets to show their support and gratitude. This year’s parade featured a wide variety of participants, including the Greece Post 468 Color Guard, other local American Legion posts and veterans groups, town councilmembers, scout troops, marching bands, sports teams, and other local organizations. The parade marched through the heart of Greece in a display of community pride and patriotic spirit.

Following the vibrant procession, the focus shifted to remembrance during the formal ceremony held at the Greece Town Campus Pavilion. Here, community members gathered in silence and reflection as speakers paid tribute to the fallen. Supervisor Reilich and American Legion Post Number 468 Commander Dan Perna both delivered moving remarks, honoring the legacy of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

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“Since the dedication of our Veteran’s Memorial Wall on May 31, 1999, we have added thousands of names to the wall,” said Supervisor Bill Reilich. “The Town of Greece is honored to have so many brave men and women who have fought for our freedom and our great Nation. It is my privilege to pay tribute to all Greece residents, and all our military men and women throughout our country, who so selflessly served our nation.”

As part of the ceremony, the names newly engraved on the Gary Beikirch Veterans Memorial Wall in 2024 and 2025 were recognized and read aloud by local officials. This solemn act offered families and friends the opportunity to hear their loved ones’ names honored in a public setting, reinforcing the town’s ongoing commitment to remembering those who served.

The Greece Post 468 Color Guard performed the Presentation of Colors, followed by a ceremonial Laying of Wreaths and a traditional Gun Salute. These symbolic gestures underscored the purpose of the day — to remember, respect, and honor those who never returned home.

Commander Dan Perna also took a moment to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day and the duty we all share to preserve the memory of those who sacrificed everything. His words echoed the sentiment that freedom is never free and must be safeguarded through remembrance.

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The Memorial Day event is a longstanding tradition in the Town of Greece, bringing together generations to reflect on the values of service, sacrifice, and unity. For many residents, the parade and ceremony are not only annual observances but deeply personal experiences.

With warm sunshine overhead and American flags waving in the breeze, the town once again demonstrated its unwavering respect for the military community and the families of the fallen. The 2025 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony stood as a powerful reminder that in Greece, the sacrifices of our heroes will never be forgotten.