Category Archives: May 30th Commemoration

2023 Henry Welles Award
The Henry C. Welles award honors those individuals who
“embody the character and commitment of the founder of Memorial Day toward the betterment of our community.”
YouTube Playlist of Henry Welles Award Winners 2009-2023
The Waterloo Library & Historical Society is proud to announce the 2023 Henry C. Welles Awardees are Dave and Darlene Duprey. The annual event will serve to kick off the Celebrate Commemorate weekend starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 26 in WLHS’s newly renovated Fatzinger Hall.
Dave and Darlene are lifelong stewards of the Waterloo community. They started their business, Duprey Video productions, in 1989. They have been married for 47 years, raising their 3 children in Waterloo and now have 3 grandchildren.
Together the Duprey’s have produced valuable footage for events all over the community and started their YouTube channel in 2019 WaterlooNYtube to share their decades of documentation. They have worked tirelessly on community projects including the downtown interactive map, walking tours, the historical mural, and the healing fields. They are active members of the Real Christmas Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Queen of Peace Apostolate, the St. Frances and St Clare Roman Catholic Parish pastoral Council and more. Dave and Darlene are founders of Waterloo in Bloom which provides plants and flowers for downtown including Vern’s Way, the Memory Bank, and Dempsey Park beautifying downtown.
As if doing all of that wasn’t enough individually the Duprey’s continued their commitment to service. Darlene served on the St. Mary’s Parent club for 17 years, chaired the St. Mary School yearbook committee for 8 years and co-chaired the St Mary’s Christmas Bazaar.
Dave was a village trustee for 20 years also serving as Deputy Mayor. While serving Waterloo he focused on Oak Island and its connection to downtown, improving the Village website as well as the American Civil War Memorial and the Cay-Seneca Canal Trail. He was also the past President of the Waterloo Business and Professional Association. Dave was imperative to the founding of the Celebrate Commemorate Memorial Day events in 2000 and has been a Co-chair for the past 20 years. Dave truly understands the true meaning of Memorial Day. During his long served time on the committee he ensured a constant connection to Veteran Organizations. During event planning as to always honor those who lost their lives while serving.
Like many other previous award winners the Duprey’s contributed to our community without an expectation of recognition. When they were told that they were chosen for this award they were shocked. They are proud to be listed among those they have looked up to for many years. Dave said he “felt extremely honored and lucky to have his wife by his side to accept this award as she supported him along the way.” Darlene has “enjoyed playing a part in promoting our wonderful community and preserving its history”
To find out more about this and other events hosted by the Waterloo Library & Historical Society, contact 315-539-3313, waterloolib@gmail.com or check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/waterloolhs.


Memorial Day Post Covid Bike Rally
MONDAY MAY 29th, 2023
Lead by The Patriot Guard Riders of NY and Waterloo Legion Riders
Sponsored by Molly M. Headley Insurance & Sessler Companies
Ride with us through the beautiful Finger Lakes Region this Memorial Day
and show your support for those who served to protect our freedoms!
Return to the Waterloo VFW for a Buffet Lunch!
ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT New York Patriot Guard Riders, Waterloo VFW,
Waterloo American Legion and Celebrate Commemorate Event
8:00am – 10:00am -Registration at Waterloo VFW, 29 E. Elisha Street, Waterloo
10:00am – 2:00pm -Scenic Ride through the Finger Lakes Region
2:00pm -Return to Waterloo VFW for a Buffet Lunch
Questions? Chris Shaffer 315-719-8106
e-mail: chris@sesslerwrecking.com
2023 Biker Registration Form

WATERLOO PURPLE HEART WALL OF HONOR
The Village of Waterloo has led a multi-year initiative to honor the brave service members nominated by family and friends who have received the distinguished Purple Heart Award with a new local Wall of Honor that recognizes this distinctive military honor.
Applications are continuously collected.”
Click for donation information








Schedules – Applications – Maps available
If you are looking for a Schedule of Events, Event Map or 5k Race Map, or need an Application for an event or wish to be a vendor, please visit this link.
Schedules, Applications, Maps, etc.

Memorial Day in Waterloo 2021
Waterloo New York, the officially recognized Birthplace of Memorial Day. The 155th consecutive Memorial Day Commemoration was held in Waterloo on May 30, 2021. The commemoration started at St. Mary’s Cemetery with a fly over by 5 vintage planes, organized by Lauren Dates. Prayer was offered by Rev. Roy Kiggins from St. Francis & St. Clare Parish, followed by gun salute & taps. Then on to Maple Grove Cemetery, where prayer was offered by Rev. Jeff Haugaard from St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, wreaths were laid followed by gun salute and taps. On to Elisha Williams Cemetery where prayer was offered by Chuck Nightingale, Waterloo American Legion Chaplin, followed by gun salute and taps. The ceremonies concluded at Lafayette Park with the laying of wreaths, prayer by Chuck Nightingale, VFW commander, gun salute and taps. Thank you to Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan and Senator Pam Helming for their presentations. https://youtu.be/QDlT72b3a3U

155th consecutive Memorial Day Commemoration in Waterloo
On Sunday morning May 30th, veterans will be assembling at St. Mary’s Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.
There will be a veteran sponsored flyover followed by prayer, wreath laying and gun salute. Similar ceremonies will be then held at Maple Grove & Elisha Williams cemeteries on Stark Street and then at LaFayette Park to observe Memorial Day and salute our fallen soldiers for the 155th year in The Birthplace of Memorial Day! These services will be filmed and made available for viewing here on the Village Website.

Memorial Day May 30, 2015 Cemetery ceremonies recap
This is a short recap of the 2015 ceremonies.