‘Our day to say thank you:’ Memorial Day celebrations in Troy

TROY, N.Y. — Troy’s Memorial Day Parade returned Monday for the first time since 2020. The city also had a ceremony honoring veterans that afternoon at Powers Park.

“It builds pride in our city; it builds pride in our neighborhoods,”  first-year Mayor Carmella Mantello said on why they needed to bring it back. “Yes, parades are great, but it’s also what’s behind that parade, and today (it’s a) very very special meaning to really — we hope we do it every day — but to go out of our way to say thank you to all of our veterans.”

The parade started at Knickerbacker Park and ran through the streets of Lansingburgh before ending at Powers Park, with residents of all ages on the street to meet them. Though it started to rain as the procession reached Powers Park, the sun managed to stay out for most of the journey.

Fire trucks, police cars, sports clubs, and bands made their way, tossing candy, blowing bubbles, and waving American flags as they went. The mostly local groups and schools were also joined by Canadian infantry — the Lincoln and Welland Regiment from the Niagara Region of Ontario. The group has a history with the Veterans of Lansingburgh and attended the Memorial Day Parade for 20 years before its pause prior to the pandemic.

The paraders ranged from local politicians and officials to the Ancient Order of Hibernians — joined on their float by Uncle Sam and Betsey Mann — to someone from Joseph’s House & Shelter in a dinosaur costume walking a dog. There was also, of course, a van coated in New York Giants memorabilia down to an inflated player on the back that got some cheers as it went by.

“I think we haven’t had any, much exposure down in Lansingburgh, you know, and think it’s just a great opportunity,” said Sidewalk Warriors Troy President Robin Fontanelli about why they and their new refrigerator van were taking to the streets. “It’s really exciting so we wanted to be part of the excitement,

The parade at 1 p.m. was just one of the events arranged for the day, starting with a street sign unveiling and ending with a block-party cookout at Forty-One Sports Bar & Grille. The street sign was for Peter Guenette Lane, the street next to Knickerbacker Park dedicated to a fallen soldier who sacrificed his life in Vietnam.

A 20-year-old Specialist Fourth Class machine gunner in the Army, Guenette dove on an enemy grenade thrown toward his company while under heavy fire, saving four men. Born in Troy and a Medal of Honor recipient for his act, Mantello said the city was alerted the sign was missing a few months ago, and they unveiled a new one on Monday morning with members of Guenette’s family.

“You (hear) the story of Peter, and you know there’s a million stories similar to Peter,” Mantello said. “(Memorial Day) it’s to really take time out of our day to say thank you, to say thank you for our freedom.”

A Lansingburgh native, Mantello said she remembers hearing about Guenette and understanding even at her age the weight of a young person giving their life. The parade itself, she said, also brings back memories of watching and being in parades.

There is so much pride tied into the day and pride in the city of Troy for themselves, for their city, and for the men and women who have served for them, she said. It brings a feeling of camaraderie and family to Troy.

“We’re so proud to bring back Memorial Day, not just the parade but more importantly our veterans ceremony and to really pay respect to the folks who just gave us what we have today,” Mantello said. “We’re proud of our city, we’re proud of our veterans and, you know, today is going to be a great day for Troy.”