This year’s Memorial Day Ceremony honors Pelham’s war dead and welcomes World War II Veteran Gerard “Jerry” DiSisto, who has been chosen as this year’s Grand Marshal. Jerry joined the Navy at age 17 and served in both the North Atlantic and later the South Pacific on the battleship USS New Jersey. He was a volunteer Firefighter for many years and his family business is a well-known benefactor to many Pelham charities.

Also being honored is former Pelham resident U.S. Army Col. Roland Tiso, who will be this year’s Keynote Speaker. A 1969 graduate of Pelham Memorial High School and the Virginia Military Academy, Col. Tiso 35 year military career includes command of infantry companies Korea, Panama, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan, Chief of War Plans Division, one of the primary planners of the Iraq War Plan. He saw combat action in Panama, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. He holds numerous decorations for meritorious service and heroism in combat including awards from five foreign nations and is the only American to have received the Ukrainian Order of Valor and Honor.

 

All Pelham organizations are invited to march in this year’s parade and any member of the military, past or present, is cordially invited to march with the American Legion contingent.

The Parade marchers are asked to meet by 10:40 at the Esplanade and Black Street in Pelham Manor where they will be assigned their position in the Line of March. The Parade will commence at 11:00 and will proceed to Veterans Park on Fifth Avenue in the Village of Pelham where the Ceremony will be held. Any group or individual with questions is asked to call or e-mail Post 50 Past Commander Joe Durnin at 914 882-1425 or [email protected]