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- Arsenal surges in May, June to engage the community
- Watervliet Arsenal conducts five community events to celebrate, honor our military
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
A World War II Veteran takes a moment to sing to the USO Liberty Bells during the Menands Military Appreciation Picnic on June 18. The Watervliet Arsenal participated in this annual event.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
Former Army captain and now Watervliet Arsenal employee, Suzanne Delaney, sounds Taps during the Village of Menands Military Appreciation Picnic on June 18.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
Arsenal Commander Col. Mark F. Migaleddi, right, addresses Veterans during the Village of Menands Military Appreciation Picnic on June 14. He took this opportunity to not only thank our Veterans, but also to promote and celebrate the Army's Birthday.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
A young man takes a moment prior to the Village of Menands Military Appreciation Picnic on June 18 to thank Veterans, several of whom had served during World War II and in the Korean War.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
Watervliet Arsenal Commander Col. Mark F. Migaleddi addresses the New York Senate while it was in session on June 14 to promote and celebrate the Army's Birthday.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
Arsenal Commander Col. Mark F. Migaleddi salutes the Color Guard at the Saratoga National Cemetery on Memorial Day. More than 1,000 attended this event.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
Arsenal Apprentice Program Supervisor John Zayhowski marches with his daughter during the City of Watervliet Memorial Day Parade on May 30.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
First of 16 vehicles that the Watervliet Arsenal fielded for the City of Watervliet Memorial Day Parade on May 30.
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Arsenal caps a month-long celebration of our military
Arsenal Commander Col. Mark F. Migaleddi, right, stands with Green Island Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan, center, and Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, left, at the beginning ceremony for the city's Memorial Day Parade on May 26.
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WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. -- The Watervliet Arsenal capped a month-long celebration of our Nation's military Saturday by its participation in the Village of Menands’ Military Appreciation Picnic, the fifth community event for the Arsenal in the last 30 days.
Although the Capital District is not a military community, it is a community with military. During the last 30 days, the Arsenal has, with the local community, honored the Nation’s fallen servicemen and women, Veterans, and active-duty military.
Arsenal Commander Col. Mark F. Migaleddi kicked off this series of community engagements in the Village of Green Island, N.Y., on May 26, when he led the Green Island Memorial Day Parade as the senior Army leader. He also spoke at the closing ceremony.
Although Green Island has a population of about 2,500, on this day this small community seemed to magically swell in size as Mayor Ellen McNulty-Ryan sang a variety of Americana songs as the parade proceeded through the town.
At the conclusion of the Parade, McNulty-Ryan and Albany County Legislator Sean Ward praised the Watervliet Arsenal not only for its participation that day, but also for its impact to the community for nearly 200 years.
Memorial Day offered the Arsenal two great venues to further tell the story of selfless service and sacrifice by those who have stepped up to the challenge by serving their nation in uniform.
The Arsenal led the City of Watervliet Memorial Day parade by fielding more than 100 participants and 16 vehicles that helped generate community interest and awareness to those who had given their last full measure of devotion to our country. The Arsenal contingent not only led the parade, it was the largest presence in the parade in front of several thousand spectators.
At the closing ceremony in Watervliet, Migaleddi said “Those who serve are ordinary people who have been placed in extraordinary circumstances. They are people who know the true meaning of courage and sadly many did not return home. And for that reason we gather today to honor them.”
After a fast change of uniforms, Migaleddi moved to the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga
National Cemetery where he was the keynote speaker in front of more than 1,000 attendees, to include U.S. Representative Chris Gibson.
“According to Webster’s dictionary, a hero is defined as “a figure in mythology and legend renowned for great strength, courage, and daring,” Migaleddi said. “But, let me be clear…those who gave their lives for our country are not myths…they are not legends…they are in the truest sense of the word, heroes."
After taking a tactical pause for two weeks, on June 14 the Arsenal participated for the first time in the New York Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame Ceremony where, once again, Migaleddi was the keynote military speaker. Immediately after the ceremony, Migaleddi was whisked away to the Senate chambers were the senators were in session. Migaleddi took this rare opportunity to address the Senate to promote and celebrate the Army’s Birthday.
Finally, on June 18, Migaleddi spoke at the Village of Menands Military Appreciation Picnic to a small, but patriotic crowd. Menand’s Mayor Meg Grenier, who invited Migaleddi to speak, is no stranger to the Watervliet Arsenal. Her husband had been employed at the Arsenal since the 1980s, thus, making her part of the Army Family. This was the final community event for the Arsenal to promote and celebrate the Army’s Birthday.
Considering that just three years ago the Arsenal did not participate in community events, but by evidence this past 30 days it appears to many that the Arsenal is back…back in the community.