Memorial Day To-Do: Parade, Gold Star Moms, Hometown Heroes

First up, Parade:

The Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow annual Memorial Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. (just follow the drums and horns).

But to be more specific: marchers will set out from Main Street in Tarrytown and proceed north on Broadway into Sleepy Hollow. The procession will then head down Beekman Avenue and south on North Washington Street. The parade will end in Patriot's Park at the memorial located on the northeast corner of the grounds.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion are hoping that as many Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow residents as possible will turn out for the event.

Girl Scouts in Action

While you gather here for the post-parade ceremony at the northeast corner of , note the new plantings, care of the Girls Scouts and others who worked hard on a gray Thursday to beautify the memorial area. And to make life even sweeter, the troop delivered 45 boxes of cookies the other day that will be distributed to Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow veterans.

Wrote Girl Scout troop 1319 co-leader Leslie Jeris of their recent efforts:

The rain held out and we were able to plant the flowers around the Veteran's Memorials in Patriot's Park. Sixth grade Cadette Girl Scout Troop 1319 worked with Monique Kozlowski from The Little Gardens Club of Tarrytown and Joe Arduino and his staff from Tarrytown Recreation. It was a group effort. My scouts worked hard, but had a lot of fun and were very satisfied with their efforts. Most of all we were all happy to be out to support the veterans of both Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. We thank them for their service to our country and want to let them know we will never forget.

Gold Star Moms

Never forget indeed! Part of the post-parade ceremony honoring those who serve, both currently and in the past, that will happen here at the northeast corner of park at 11 a.m. is something special coordinated by Sleepy Hollow hero, Armando "Chick" Galella. There will be dedication of a new memorial honoring Gold Star Mothers (mothers who have lost a child serving in a war). In addition to some Gold Star mothers attending and speaking will be some local church choirs and bands to sing and perform a few patriotic songs.

This will all air on local radio! Check it out: WFAS airing: "History of Pop Memorial Day Weekend Music Special" - Gold Star Mothers Memorial unveiling at Patriots Park in Tarrytown on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012 at 11 a.m. WFAS (103.9) interviews a Local Resident, Gold Star Mom, named Violet Manca of Tarrytown.

Homepage for Heroes:

When your day is done-done-done and you go back home-home-home (borrowing from “Taps” here), perhaps you will...get online? I wanted to share with you AOL.com’s Homepage for Heroes. AOL is helping to create connection, support and opportunity for troops who are deployed. Through June, AOL is donating minutes of talk-time to deployed troops. These minutes allow deployed troops to call, email or video chat with their family and friends back home. For more info and to donate, click this link.

And last, Your Pictures on Patch:

Last task of the day: We'll be posting a regional Memorial Day photo gallery on Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollow Patch later in the day, so upload your photos and images here!