71st Regiment Hastings-on-Hudson Memorial Service

The 71st Regiment Memorial Service at Mt. Hope Cemetery will be held on Saturday, May 11th, 2013 at 11:00am.

As usual, we'll have our veterans and their families present along with a number of local dignitaries -- St. Sen Stewart-Cousins, Assemblyman Tom Abinanti, Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky and Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.

Our theme and focus this year will be the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg -- the 71st was involved in that engagement and lost a number of its members during the three days of battle.

Their sacrifice will be remembered during the ceremony and we'll be assisted in that endeavor by our NYNG Honor Guard as well as a special contingent of the 69th Regiment's Civil War Reenactment Unit.

The morning's events will conclude with a special wreath placing at the Confederate Memorial which is located in Mt. Hope Cemetery just down the hill from the 71st Regimental Plot and Spanish-American War Monument. While a brief part of the overall ceremony, this wreath placing is intended to serve as a remembrance of those from the Confederate side who lost their lives in that tragic battle.

The overall significance of our gathering cannot be overstated -- Gettysburg was a crucial battle in the Civil War and one which many say was the turning point in a long, difficult and bitter struggle. Still today, we recognize the importance of those three days in our nation's effort to establish freedom and justice for all its people.

This is an opportunity for the community of Westchester to be aware and to share in that recognition.