Westchester County held its annual Memorial Day Service at Lasdon Park, Arboretum & Veterans Memorial in Katonah on May 23, 2025. The event honored military personnel who lost their lives serving the country. County Executive Ken Jenkins and Veterans Service Agency Director Joshua Gaccione were among those present, along with residents, veterans, and local officials.
County Executive Ken Jenkins expressed the county’s deep gratitude towards fallen service members. “We owe a profound debt to all who serve, but our debt to those who gave their lives for our freedom is exceptional,” Jenkins stated. He emphasized that while it is impossible to repay these heroes fully or restore them to their families, society can honor their sacrifices by upholding the values they fought for.
Veterans Service Agency Director Josh Gaccione also spoke at the ceremony. “We gather to honor the memory of more than one million souls lost in the service of this country since it began as just an idea in 1776,” he said. Gaccione highlighted the commitment of these individuals to protect and defend American ideals.
The event was held near Westchester’s Veterans Museum, which recently launched a new exhibit titled “The American Civil War: A War of Firsts.” This exhibit focuses on innovations in warfare and medicine during the Civil War era. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Lasdon Park also features the Trail of Honor, dedicated to Westchester County veterans from various conflicts including The American Revolution and Desert Storm. Visiting Lasdon Park provides an opportunity to reflect on and commemorate the contributions of military heroes.
