American Legion Post 376 Honor Guard at the Riverview Cemetery. (Photo by Jeanie Petersen)

OXFORD – Memorial Day has become the most important day of recognition of our armed forces. It’s a day we remember and honor our country's heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

On this Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, after a 4-year hiatus, the parade will be back. Several activities -including four memorial services and the much beloved parade- will take place in Oxford, rain or shine, beginning at 8 a.m. 


The Oxford American Legion’s Fort Hill Post 376 will begin the day at 8 a.m. with the wreath laying ceremony and rifle salute at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery on West State Street. 


The parade will line up at 8:30 a.m. at the American Legion, at 17 South Washington Avenue.

Stepping off at 9:00 a.m. (sharp), the parade will be led by the Village of Oxford Police Dept (lead parade vehicle), the Post #376 Honor Guard and Rifle Squad, Legionnaires, and the Auxiliary. The parade will feature the Village of Oxford Mayor Terry Stark, veterans in cars as well as six NYS Veterans' Home at Oxford buses, and the ALA Poppy Princess.

The parade will feature the Oxford Community Band and the Oxford Academy Marching Blackhawks, as well as football and baseball teams, Oxford Varsity/Modified Football, and the Oxford Middle School Catalyst float. Marching will be the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and Little League/OYSP.

Also marching will be the Village of Oxford Fire Department and the Fire Department Explorers, and the Preston Fire Department. The Emergency Squad will be there with the Ambulance. (Not in exact parade order.) 


Along the parade route, be sure to wave to the American Legion Auxiliary’s Poppy Princess, Grace Carpenter. Grace honors her great-grandfather, WWII Army veteran, Floyd L. Finch, as well as her great-grandmother, Sally Finch, who was instrumental in bringing the ALA Poppy program to Chenango County. Grace proudly represents the poppy and what it stands for. Red crepe paper poppies will be distributed by Oxford Academy Poppy Poster contest winners, in exchange for contributions to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. Please give generously.

A salute honoring those who died at sea will be given at the Main Street Bridge (that crosses over the Chenango River). Oxford Legion’s Auxiliary president will perform the wreath ceremony, tossing a memorial garland into the Chenango River, followed by a rifle salute.

The parade will turn North, up the hill on Albany Street, to the Riverview Cemetery with a ceremony and speeches honoring the memory of the departed and a rifle salute. The Roll Call of the Deceased will be read by the acting Post Chaplain, Fred Baker; the officiating clergy will read the invocation and benediction. The National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner” will be played by the two bands.

This year’s three American Legion Boys’ State delegates will be there: Jared Sheridan, Donovan Rickard, and Jack Knapp. The ALA Empire Girls’ State delegate, Addyson Franklin, will recite the poem, “In Flanders Fields.”

Plan your after-the-parade lunch with some BBQ chicken cooked by the SAL. This Legion fundraiser will be ready starting at 9 a.m., at the Post 376 Legion, on the Route 12 side.

Following the Riverview Cemetery ceremony the Legion honor guard will go to the Warn-TenBroeck Cemetery (seven miles south of Oxford), to place a wreath and to salute the deceased.

For more info, contact Post 376, Jessica Henninge - promoteoxfordnow@gmail.com , or (Legion) 607-843-8166; or email events@oxfordny.com . Visit http://oxfordlegion.com/