SMETHPORT — Officials at McKean County Post #2497, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Smethport, have announced that traditional Memorial Day services will be held on May 31.
Leonard Anderson, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, will be the guest speaker at the program to be held on the courthouse steps following the parade that begins at 10 a. m.
After serving as VFW Post #2497 chaplain and an 18-stint as commander, he is the current quartermaster.
He is a 1967 graduate of Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School. Anderson was in Vietnam from July 1969 to July 1970 as a combat medic with a reconnaissance platoon.
His military awards include Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with V Device and Combat Medic Badge.
Anderson has been a member of the VFW Post #2497 and Smethport American Legion Bucktail Post #138 for approximately 40 years.
Pastor Max Simms will offer the invocation and benediction at the courthouse program. The Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School Band will offer several selections.
Officers for the exercises will be Brandon Jenkins, president of the day; Bob Funk, officer of the day, and “Bud” Abbey, in charge of the color guard and memorial firing squad.
The day’s program begins at 9 a. m. with a memorial salute at the veterans memorial in East Smethport followed by similar ceremonies at 9:30 a. m. at the Rosehill Cemetery.
Program attendees are asked to observe social distancing.
In case of rain, the program will be moved to the Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School auditorium, slated to begin at 11 a. m.
