Memorial Eve Service

Revs. Spierling, Antal and Baumbartner at last year’s service of Remembrance, Lamentation and Hope

Memorial Day Eve Service

of Remembrance, Lamentation and Hope Set for May 28

A Memorial Day Eve Service of Remembrance, Lamentation and Hope will take place on Sunday, May 28th, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

This 4th annual community healing ceremony, which welcomes civilians, veterans and active military personnel alike, will take place at the Temple of Virtue in the New Windsor Cantonment, the last encampment of the Continental Army (1782-83) and the site of the first United States military chapel, which was established by General George Washington.

The service will also be livestreamed on the National Veterans For Peace Facebook page and online participants can submit names and prayer requests that will be read and honored in the service.

James Yee, former U.S Army Chaplain at Guantanamo Bay, a Muslim, and author of the book For God and Country: Faith and Patriotism Under Fire, will speak.  The service will include storytelling, music and rituals of remembrance and healing.

Veterans leading the service include Rev. Dr. Chris Antal, (Unitarian Universalist, Afghanistan); Everett Cox, (Vietnam); Chaplain (COL) Ken Sampson, U.S. Army retired, (Reformed Church, Iraq, Afghanistan); and Lawrence Winters, (Vietnam).

Civilians leading the service include: Rev. Mary Lou Baumgartner, (Lutheran ELCA); Terri Pahucki; Regina Mullen; Rev. Dr. Deke Spierling, (Presbyterian Church (USA);

An offering in honor of First Lieutenant Mohsin A. Naqvi (KIA 17 September 2008, Afghanistan) will be received for a charity to be identified by his surviving family.  There will be a time for conversations and refreshments following the service.  Pastoral care will be available on site and online.  The temple is handicapped accessible.

The Veteran/Clergy Memorial Day Working Group of the Greater Newburgh Interfaith Council and Veterans for Peace Hudson Valley Chapter 177 are sponsors of this service.

The Temple of Virtue is located at the New Windsor Cantonment, 374 Temple Hill Rd. (Route 300), adjacent to the Purple Heart Hall of Honor.