April 5, 2008

On Friday, Operation Firing For Effect, National Chairman, Gene Simes met with organizers of the upcoming Memorial Day activities in Waterloo, New York. During the meeting and location scouting, Waterloo officials suggested that the Willie Nelson ‘Support Our Troops’ Signature Guitar Raffle Drawing previously scheduled for the main stage in Lafayette Park on Sunday, be moved to Memorial Day, Monday the 26th.  So, now the drawing will be held on Monday the 26th at VFW Post 6433, 29 E. Elisha St, at 3pm.

American music legend, U.S. Air Force veteran Willie Nelson signing ‘Support Our Troops’ guitar for Waterloo raffle

According to Gene Simes, Waterloo event organizers were very excited to have the Willie Nelson raffle included in their planned events and celebration(s) of this Greatest of National Holidays.   

In Waterloo, New York, they celebrate Memorial Day for five days in May, not just one. Most of the country currently celebrates Memorial Day on the last Monday in May, but by old Waterloo tradition it was held on the 30th of May. In order to respect both dates, Waterloo commemorates Memorial Day for four days starting with events on the 22nd, and ending on the 26th, and then they recognize Memorial Day again on the 30th. I can’t personally think of a better place to show one’s respect for the ultimate sacrifices made by so many of our countrymen, (and now countrywomen), than in Waterloo, New York.

Here’s a little history on the origins of Memorial Day. In 1868, Waterloo joined with other communities in holding Memorial Day observance on 30th of May. It has been held annually ever since. Waterloo is the birthplace of what we now celebrate as Memorial Day. Waterloo held the first formal, village wide, annual observance of a day dedicated to honoring the war dead. On March 7, 1966, the State of New York recognized Waterloo by a proclamation signed by Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller. This was followed by recognition from Congress of the United States when the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 587 on May 17th and May 19th, 1966 respectively. This reads in part as follows: "Resolved that the Congress of the United States, in recognition of the patriotic tradition set in motion one hundred years ago in the Village of Waterloo, NY, does hereby officially recognize Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of Memorial Day. On May 26, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed a Presidential Proclamation recognizing Waterloo as the Birthplace of Memorial Day.

In addition to the traditional Memorial Day services and activities on Monday the 26th, Operation Firing For Effect will conduct the Willie Nelson, ‘Support Our Troops’ Signature Guitar Drawing at 3pm, at VFW Post 6433 in Waterloo.

In addition, on Monday the 26th, the Patriot Guard Motorcycle Organization will be forming at VFW Post 6433 for a Memorial Day Colors Ride. If you are a rider, Waterloo is the place to be this Memorial Day!

This year marks the 142nd Consecutive Memorial Day held in Waterloo, New York.

For more information on the week-long activities and services, visit; http://www.waterloony.com/Mday2008.html

The cost of a chance to win this very unique guitar is $10 per entry form. You can enter as many times as you wish. Simply cut out the entry form below, fill it out, and send it to the address listed on the entry form. If you wish to enter multiple times, you must submit a separate entry form for each entry. We suggest you do not send cash. Rather send a check or money order. This way you will have a receipt for your tax deductible contribution. For more information on the Willie Nelson ‘Support Our Troops’ Signature Guitar Raffle, visit; www.offe2008.org You will find printable raffle entry forms at our web site.

[Note] If you have sent in one of the entry forms with the old drawing location and time, don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if you submitted a raffle entry on the old entry forms; all entry forms will be collected and included in the raffle barrel. No entry will be excluded.

[Postscript] Operation Firing For Effect would like to publicly thank Mr. Willie Nelson and the City of Waterloo, New York for their generous support and cooperation.

 

Jere Beery

OFFE Public Relations Director