Honoring Those Who Gave The Ultimate Sacrifice

Memorial Day is the time set aside to remember veterans who died in service to their country.

That means we honor such people as Master Sergeant Thomas Maholic of Bradford, who died in Afghanistan in June of 2006, when he was fatally struck by enemy small arms fire during a cordon and search mission.

We also remember Staff Sergeant Anthony "Bib" DeLucia of Bradford, who died in August of 1944 when his B-24 Liberator crashed into a mountainside in South China.

Corporal Jason L. Dunham of Scio, NY, died in Iraq in April of 2004 after throwing himself on a grenade, attempting to use his helmet to shield himself and others from the explosion.

PFC Ross McGinnis of Knox died in Iraq in December of 2006. McGinnis was perched in the gunner's hatch of a Humvee on patrol in Baghdad when a grenade flew by him and landed inside where four soldiers were sitting. He called out a warning, then leaped into the vehicle and covered the grenade with his body. The grenade exploded, killing him.

So, while you're barbecuing your burgers and flinging your Frisbees, remember the men and women who died while serving their country.



Bradford's Memorial Day Parade starts at 10:15 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Main and Davis streets. It proceeds to Veterans Square, where services will follow the parade. This year's parade marshal is Sgt. Steven Appleby.

Master of ceremonies will be US Air Force veteran Christopher Goll. Kevin McMurtrie will provide music. The Rev. Leo Gallina of St. Bernard Church will deliver the invocation and benediction. Staff Sgt. Steven Jones and Sgt. Gregory Boardman will deliver readings. Representatives of the military branches will decorate symbolic graves.

ALLEGANY -- Parade starts at 9 a.m. at North First and West Main streets. A memorial service will be held after the parade at the Veterans Memorial next to the Town Hall Building.

AUSTIN -- Memorial Day Services start at 11 a.m. in the town square.

CATTARAUGUS -- Parade starts at 12:30 p.m. at the corner of South and Washington streets. After the parade, Mayor David Rivet will speak at Liberty Park Cemetery.

COUDERSPORT -- Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Water Street. Services will follow in the courthouse square.

ELDRED -- Parade starts at 11 a.m. at the World War II Museum and will proceed to the monument at Otto-Eldred Elementary School. The museum will host a memorial service at 2 p.m.

EMPORIUM -- Parade starts at 10 a.m. at Olivetts Market.

GALETON -- Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the high school and proceeds to West Hill Cemetery, where a service will be held.

MOUNT JEWETT -- Parade starts at 11 a.m. at the McClelland Avenue parking lot and proceeds to the gazebo on Main Street, where services will be held.

OLEAN -- Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the intersection of North Union and Sullivan streets. Mayor David Carucci will speak at Mount View Cemetery following the parade.

PORT ALLEGANY -- A bridge ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. at the Brooklynside/West Mills Street Bridge. At 10:30 a.m., a ceremony will be ehld on Route 155 South at the Veterans Memorial Building.

SHINGLEHOUSE -- Parade starts at 10 a.m. at the Veterans Monument and proceeds to Assembly Park, where services will be held.

SMETHPORT -- Memorial salutes start at 9 a.m. in East Smethport and 9:30 a.m. in Rosehill Cemetery. Parade starts at 10 a.m. on West Willow Street. Services will follow at the McKean County Courthouse.

ULYSSES -- Parade starts at 10 a.m. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Mills Cemetery and 1:30 p.m. at Harrison Valley.

WELLSVILLE -- Parade starts at 10 a.m. on Pearl Street and proceeds to Veterans Memorial Park, where services will be held. The parade then continues to Madison, Main and State streets. Following the parade, services will be held and Woodlawn and Sacred Heart cemeteries.