In a Village known for its annual Memorial Day Parade, it should come as no surprise Irvington Theater wanted to honor our hometown heroes.  So Kim Vogelsang Gilligan, Irvington Theater Commission chairperson, and Greg Allen, Irvington Theater Manager, reached out to Joan Armstrong and Nina Caporal Dawson at the Irvington Senior Center for help in gathering from the Irvington community stories about those who have served and those who we have lost.  We Salute You: Remembering Fallen Heroes was created to commemorate these hometown heroes and is part of Irvington Theater’s In Our Own Words, a series that brings social issues center stage through art and conversation.

The “Hometown Heroes” segment highlights local Irvington residents who share stories of their family members, offer a historical perspective on Irvington during both World Wars, and reflect on their memories of the Irvington Memorial Day Parade throughout the years.  Participants included Mayor Jonathan Siegel reminiscing about Memorial Days when he was a child, Sharon Brennan talking about James Brennan’s service in Vietnam, and The Meszaros family and Joe Anniccharico sharing stories of family members who served, as well as numerous other Irvington residents telling stories and sharing memories.

“As a Gold Star Daughter, Memorial Day is a special and solemn occasion for me,” said Kim Vogelsang Gilligan.  “The Irvington Memorial Day parade is such an honored tradition in our village, and we at the Irvington Theater wanted join in that tradition by sharing the stories of those who served and, in some cases, gave their lives in service to their country.”