Fulton Memorial Day Salute Features Popular Local Vocals

Two of the areas most talented and popular musicians will be featured this year at the 32nd  Annual Fulton Memorial Day Salute.
Friday night, May 24th, at 6 PM, Rick Bush, a Fulton native, will bring his musical talents to the stage. Rick has been performing for over twenty-five years with such groups as The Misfits,  Dam Dog and The Moss Back Mule Band. As a musician with those bands, Rick has opened for well—known  national artists such as The Orleans, Lynard Skynard, Savoy Brown and The Charlie Daniels Band. Rick has taught in the Fulton City School District for over twenty years and is currently a 6th grade teacher at Fairgrieve School.
Saturday night, May 25th, at 6 PM, Vince Markowsky will take the stage.  Vince started playing in 1983 in an acoustic trio and in 2001, began performing with Fulton native, Rick Bush, in an acoustic duo playing the hits of the 70's and 80's.  In 2002, Markowsky wrote his second original called “Shine My Light” which has become a mainstay of his performances. 

Vince is very involved in Fulton through his provision of supportive services as a school-home liaison within the Fulton City School District.  He also provides counseling therapy services through his private practice in Oswego and Onondaga counties.
Memorial Day Salute is sponsored by the service clubs of Fulton: Rotary, Sunrise Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions along with the Veteran’s Council. All musical entertainment and other venues are offered free to the public. An extensive food court and drinks are available.

The 32nd  Annual Memorial Day Salute Committee recently announced the winners of the Poster Contest held to create a patriotic poster in keeping with  “America, United We Stand”.  Taking first place as the winner of this year's poster contest  is Samantha Henderson.  Second place is Julie Countryman and third place is Jennifer Miller.   Pictured from left are   Mary Pierce, Art Instructor, Henderson, Countryman and Miller.  The winners are art students at Cayuga Community College.  All posters will be displayed at the event being held this year on May 24 and 25 at the Fulton Community Center.

 Veteran of the Year Alfred Myhill

From left are:  Charrise Kidd, Rotary; Larry Macner, MDS Chairman;   Veteran of the Year Alfred Myhill;   Patrick Waite, Sunrise Rotary and Brenda Niver, Kiwanis.  Absent from photo is Dave Dingman, Lions.   This year the 32nd Annual Memorial Day Salute will be held May 24th and 25th.

The Memorial Day Salute is a two-day event that was created and is now carried on by representatives of the four Fulton service clubs: Rotary, Sunrise Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions.  The service clubs are assisted by the Fulton Veterans Council.  Pictured are the presidents of the service clubs,  the Veteran of the Year and the Memorial Day Salute committee chairman. 

Each Fall, the Fulton Veteran’s Council chooses a Veteran of the Year from among the membership of several Fulton veteran’s organizations. This year, Alfred Myhill, right,  was named Veteran of the Year and is seen with Fulton Mayor Ron Woodward.   Myhill will be the Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day Salute Parade on May 25th. The parade is sponsored by the Fulton Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary and Sunrise Rotary service clubs, in cooperation with the Fulton Veteran’s Council.   

Memorial Day Salute in the Planning

Pictured making plans, standing from left are:  Dick Kemmis, Brenda Niver, Patrick Waite, Larry Macner, Dave Dingman, Sandy Farrands, Zack Menter and Carol Vescio.  In front are:  Peggy Donnelly, Tom Mirabito and Judy Young.   Absent from photo were: Jim Myers,  John Kruk,  Cathy Trowbridge, Charrise Kidd and Carl Nylen.

Plans are underway for the 32nd Annual Memorial Day Salute event to be held Friday May 24th and Saturday, May 25th at the Fulton Community Center. The theme for the celebration will be “AMERICA, UNITED WE STAND”. Alfred Myhill, Veteran of the Year, will serve as Grand Marshall of the Saturday parade.
Entertainment for Friday and Saturday nights will be announced soon.  The entertainment  on Friday will be followed by the fireworks.

The Memorial Day Salute Committee is made up of representatives from the Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary and Sunrise Rotary Service Clubs, along with the Veterans Council of Fulton.  Chairman of this year’s planning committee is Larry Macner.

Magical Mystery Tour, a Beatles Tribute Band, Headline Friday's Entertainment at Memorial Day Salute

Central New Yorkʼs only all-Beatles tribute, Magical Mystery Tour will be the Friday night featured entertainment for Fulton's 32nd Annual Memorial Day Salute.  Magical Mystery Tour  is a group of four musicians who have come together with one common passion... the music of The Beatles. All regional musicians, theyʼve individually had experiences with several successful local and regional acts including The Back Alley Boys, The Joe Whiting Band, Mark Doyle & The Maniacs, Dr. Boogie, Mr. Slate, as well as vast theater and stage experience. They bring the energy and witty humor of The Beatles to the stage, recreating a timeless and recognizable experience for children 1 to 101.  A splendid time is guaranteed for all when they take the stage  on Friday, May 24th  at 7 PM.  Be sure to come early to grab a seat........yet it doesn't matter because you'll be up and dancing in no time.   Pictured are, left to right:  Tim Stone (Paul)  Bass/Vocals, Terry Quill (George) Guitar/Vocals, Rick Basha (Ringo)  Drums/Vocals and Mike Fedorchuk (John) Guitar/Vocals.

ROB GARRETT,
KING OF DIAMONDS”, A NEIL DIAMOND TRIBUTE BAND,  HEADLINES FULTON'S MEMORIAL DAY SALUTE

This is the 32nd   year of Fulton’s Memorial Day Salute.  It doesn’t seem possible that this community wide event was started in 1981.  Four service clubs, Lions, Rotary, JayCees, and the Kiwanis clubs, started the event.  After a few years the Optimist Club replaced the JayCees, but they disbanded and so the present fourth service club, which was started in 1999, is Sunrise Rotary.
The original purpose was three fold.  We wanted a community wide event that everyone in our community, especially the children, could participate in.  We wanted to offer a program, or series of events, that would thank all of our present and former service men and women for their service to our country.  And we wanted to bring the people of our community a weekend of music by nationally and locally recognized performers or groups. 
When it comes to entertainment, the service clubs have provided the Fulton audiences with some great music over the years.  The emphasis has mostly been on the popular music of the 1950’s thru the 1970’s.  This music could be defined in broad terms as “Rock ‘N Roll.”  Groups that have appeared on the Recreation Park stage over the years are:  Bill Haley and The Comets, Little Richard, Chubby Checker, Herman’s Hermits, Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, Bobby Vee, country star, Jim Ed Brown, The Lovin Spoonful, Tribute to the Beatles (Let It Be), Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, Jay and The Americans, A Tribute To Elvis, Orleans and last year,  Nik and the Nice Guys.
One performer who has not appeared on our stage is Rob Garrett,  King of Diamonds , a Neil Diamond Tribute.  This year  Fulton Savings Bank will sponsor  this tribute band on  the Community Center stage on Saturday, May 25, 2013 starting at 8 PM.>
Long time Las Vegas performer and Legends in Concert alumni, ROB GARRETT, is America's #1 NEIL DIAMOND tribute artist and is unparalleled in his portrayal of the legendary performer.  From Las Vegas to Honolulu, to New York, to Berlin Germany…Rob has come to be known as the ‘King of Diamonds’ – performing throughout more cities than ANY other celebrity impersonator in the business.  Rob manages to naturally capture the presence, passion, and energy of the legendary performer in all his ‘JAZZ SINGER’ glory and those who have witnessed his performances will testify that YOU SIMPLY CAN’T GET ANY CLOSER!   Rob was the recent recipient of   the  “Male Musical Tribute Artist of the Year” award presented by the Entertainment Network at the Celebrity Impersonator Convention in Las Vegas.
Jim Myers, long time entertainment chairman for the Memorial Day Salute, has released the complete  entertainment schedule for the weekend.  On Friday, May 24 , the G. Ray Bodley High School Jazz band will perform at 5 PM .      Rick Bush will be on stage from 6-7 PM,   followed by one of Central New York’s favorite ‘s Magical Mystery Tour, A Beatles Tribute Band .     They will play until the fireworks start at about 10 PM.
On Saturday, May 25,   Oswego County’s largest parade will move down Broadway, from east to west, starting at 10 AM and commentated by Tom Owens from B104.7 and Zach Menter, the parade chairman   This will be followed by several of the parade marching bands playing at a “Stand-In” on the Community Center stage from noon to 2 PM.     “Virgil The Magician,” will entertain the children and adults alike at 2 PM.   The Fulton  Dixieland Band will be on stage at  3:30 PM, followed by Fulton Community Band at 5 PM and the music of Vince Markowsky at  6 PM.   Rob Garrett,  King of Diamonds, the Neil Diamond Tribute will take the stage at 8 PM .
The Memorial Day Salute opens at 5 PM on Friday and closes at 11 PM after the fireworks are over.  On Saturday, the hours are from 10 AM to 10 PM.  During these hours, delicious food and beverage and many rides will be available.

The 32nd  Annual Fulton Memorial Day Salute Children’s Events will be Magical!
There is nothing more special than the look of wonder on a child’s face!
The Fulton Memorial Day Salute Children’s Events will bring magical moments to children of all ages. During the weekend of May 24-25, there will be a variety of entertainment geared for children at the parade and at the Fulton War Memorial.

On Saturday, May 25th, at 2 PM, the Magic of Virgil will begin. A fusion of music, choreography and theatrics will leave you breathless! Virgil has developed a dazzling, larger than life show, blending the most engaging aspects of audience participation with the spectacle and high drama of stage illusions. The Magic of Virgil is a culmination of a life-long hunger for mastery of the mystic arts. As a child, Virgil astonished his family and friends with magic tricks. By the age of fifteen, he knew that entertaining would be his life’s passion. Now, as a seasoned professional, Virgil has developed a spectacular show that will keep the audience buzzing long after the show ends.

Memorial Day Salute is sponsored by the service clubs of Fulton: Rotary, Sunrise Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions along with the Veterans Council. All entertainment is offered free to the public. An extensive food court and drinks are available. For further information regarding Memorial Day Salute, please call 592-4486 or visit the website

VFW Operation Uplink

The Fulton Memorial Day Salute Committee is proud to announce again this year that it will participate with the VFW's Operation Uplink program.  Operation Uplink was launched in 1996 to connect active-duty troops and hospitalized veterans with their loved ones. The program uses contributions from supporters to purchase phone time for the men and women who are serving, or have served, as well as hospitalized veterans.

Initially, VFW Operation Uplink exclusively distributed phone cards. In 2006, in response to growing demand, VFW began hosting “Free Call Days.”   Now, every month of the year, troops can call home, at no charge, from Internet cafes throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Millions of minutes already have been provided.

Traditional phone cards are still being provided at military hospitals and VA facilities, as well as to troops in regions not served by the “Free Call Days.”

Since the program began, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has provided deployed service members and hospitalized veterans with millions of minutes of free phone time. The unique program is part of VFW National Military Services, which includes other initiatives that boost morale, aid struggling military families and encourage troop support.

The Fulton Memorial Day Salute Committee will be collecting money for this organization as part of its advertising booklet, as well as on site at the Salute.  For more information on Operation Uplink, go to VFWOperationUplink.com.  The Fulton Memorial Day Salute will be held on Friday May 24 and Saturday May 25 at the Fulton Community Center.  For further information go to fultonmemorialdaysalute.com

Pictured from left are: Larry Macner, Memorial Day Salute Chairman and Veterans of Foreign Wars representative, Alfred Myhill, Veteran of the Year and the Grand Marshall for the Memorial Day Salute parade on May 25 and Jim Weinhold, VFW Post 569 Commander.