The 2020 New Holland Memorial Day Pilgrimage has been canceled. The Pilgrimage and the ceremony at the New Holland Park were canceled by the United Veterans Council of New Holland because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Considering the large turnouts the event has had at the cemeteries in past years, organizers did not feel the required 6-foot social distancing could be maintained at the event. The members of the United Veterans Council of New Holland are acting with concern for the well-being of the VFW members, New Holland Legion members, New Holland Band members, Boy Scouts and spectators.
The Veterans Council has offered to provide flowers to the 13 cemeteries that are usually visited during the Pilgrimage. The flowers will be placed on veterans' graves. The Bowmansville, Bridgeville, Groffdale, Ranck's, St. John's, St. Stephen, Voganville and Zeltenreich cemeteries have confirmed they will receive flowers and place them on veterans' graves. The Trinity cemetery has elected not to receive flowers this year, and those flowers will be available for pickup on Saturday, May 23, from noon to 2 p.m. at the New Holland American Legion, 35 S. Hoover Ave., by family members who would like to place a flower on the grave of a family veteran. Information about the availability of flowers at Cedar Grove, Evangelical, Terre Hill and Weaverland cemeteries is forthcoming.
The United Veterans Council encourages all Americans to honor veterans by displaying the American flag on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, at their homes. The public is invited to attend next year's Pilgrimage on Monday, May 31, 2021.
For more information, readers may contact Michael Martin at m_martin67@comcast.net.
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