Legion members from Medina, Lyndonville observe National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Glenn Whitmore, commander of the Butts-Clark American Legion Post, salutes after placing a wreath on the Vietnam Memorial in front of the post on Wednesday morning. The event was in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Tuesday.

Dave Kusmierczak, a member of the American Legion Post in Medina, wears a Vietnam bracelet in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Kusmierczak served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971.

MEDINA – Each year on March 29 the nation celebrates National Vietnam War Veterans Day. On Tuesday, the Butts-Clark American Legion Post in Medina took part in ceremonies at the Western New York National Cemetery in Pembroke to remember and honor all Vietnam war veterans.

Also participating were Batavia’s American Legion Post 332, the Patriot Guard Riders of New York, cemetery director James R. Metcalfe, Genesee Veterans Council president William Joyce, and Vietnam veteran the Rev. Robert M. Stuart.

A wreath laying ceremony was followed by an Honor Guard service with volley and Taps.

On Wednesday morning, the Butts-Clark American Legion and members from the American Legion in Lyndonville paid tribute to Vietnam veterans with a ceremony in front of the Vietnam Memorial at the Butts-Clark Post.

After a prayer by veteran Dave Kusmierczak, Commander Glenn Whitmore laid a wreath on the monument, followed by a volley and Taps.

In addition to Whitmore and Kusmierczak, those who participated were Peter Huth, Dave Barhite, Dave Morien, Larry Szatkowski, Luke Price, Dave Wells, Jim Wells, Maxine Schening, John Follman and Dave Higgins.

John Follman with the American Legion Post in Lyndonville lines up the rifle squad for ceremonies at the Butt-Clark American Legion’s Vietnam Memorial on Wednesday morning.