Patriotism, sacrifice and love of one’s country.
These three qualities define the two men chosen to lead this year’s Baldwinsville Memorial Day Parade – 2nd Lt. Nolan Miles who was selected to be the President of the Day and the late Cpl. Kyle Schneider who was selected as Grand Marshall.
“These boys were young boys when 9/11 happened,” said Sarah Baker, co-chair of the Baldwinsville Memorial Day Parade Committee. “Both of these young men were in high school together and both grasped the message of patriotism and stepped up.”
This year, the parade committee chose to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan and those who are currently serving around the world both at home and abroad. Baker added another focus is on how the annual parade and memorial service impacts young adults.
“It is of great importance that the community attend the traditional ceremony at Riverview Cemetery,” Baker said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to share the rich history of Baldwinsville and to raise awareness in our children of patriotism, sacrifice and love of one’s country.”
Held on the traditional Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, as dictated by General John A. Logan on May 5, 1868, the Baldwinsville Memorial Day Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 30, traveling along East Genesee Street then turning left onto Syracuse Street. Bands participating in this year’s parade include: CNY Police and Fire Band, The Island Band, City of Syracuse Highland Pipe & Drums, C.W. Baker High School Band and Baldwinsville Community Band.
The parade will be followed by two ceremonies at St. Mary’s Cemetery (first) and Riverview Cemetery (second). See breakout box for details.
President of the Day/Guest Speaker
The son of Maureen and Kevin Miles, as well as the oldest of four children, Lt. Miles is a 2009 graduate of Baker High School and a recent graduate of West Point. Miles received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the United States Military Academy and is a newly commissioned second lieutenant in the engineers branch looking forward to the Basic Officer Leaders Course at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Afterwards, he will go to Ft. Carson, CO, to serve in the 4th Infantry Division.
Baker pointed out that this isn’t the first time Lt. Miles has had a role in the Memorial Day Parade.
“In 2008, Lt. Miles chosen to recite Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address [at Riverview Cemetery],” Baker said.
Grand Marshall Cpl. Kyle Schneider
A 2006 graduate of Baker High School, Cpl. Kyle Schneider made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan when he was killed in action on June 30, 2011. Cpl. Schneider will be represented by his parents, Rick and Lorie, as Grand Marshall of this year’s parade.
After deploying to Afghanistan in January of 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Cpl. Schneider operated with his platoon out of Patrol Base Amoo and Patrol Base Hanjar in the Sangin District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He survived a direct IED blast while on patrol in May 2011. After care for his injuries and observation, Cpl. Schneider insisted he be sent back to his combat outpost in Sangin. He would not leave his men to whom he was devoted, for which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. On June 30, 2011, he was killed in action heroically protecting his men. Cpl. Schneider was posthumously awarded a second Purple Heart. He gallantly rests with valor.
“Schneider was a man who most people pray to be like. He was brave, he was loyal, he was humble and the thing I knew him most for, he was selfless,” said Capt. Glenn P. Baker, the commanding officer for Company E, 2/8. “In the end though, he lived like he died. Putting others before himself with the same fervor, curiosity and paternity that wouldn’t let him put another in harms ways without taking most of the danger himself.”
Parade, Memorial Service Itinerary
5:45 p.m. Veteran’s Monument, East Genesee Street – Placement of memorial wreath and raising the colors
6:15 p.m. Wreath ceremony at the bridge over the Seneca River
6:45 p.m. St. Mary’s Cemetery service, Tappan Street
7 p.m. Riverview Cemetery service, Tappan Street
Call to colors and raising of the colors (The Eric Dalaker Memorial Flag)
Placement of the wreaths
“America the Beautiful” and placement of the flowers at the Honor Roll Memorial
Guest Speaker 2nd Lt. Nolan Miles
Recitation by Baker High School students: Gettysburg Address, Briana Blasi; In Flanders Fields, Rachel Brown; Logan’s Orders, Sarah Dugan
Baker High School students Connor Sewell and Jessica Tiner will accompany the Community Band in singing the National Anthem
“Amazing Grace,” by piper Shannon Kennedy
Salute over the graves
Taps
Logan’s Order
Excerpt from General Order No. 11, issued May 5, 1868.
To the Second Grand Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic
“…For the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the recent rebellion … with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year.”
By order of John A. Logan, General, USA
