LOCAL MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AT THE SAMPSON VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY DEDICATION JULY 30th

Music Director Andy Stobie, a popular local musician with a unique personal  connection to the former Sampson Naval Base, will lead the two dozen members of the Seneca Falls Community Band as they perform at the dedication of the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery on July 30th.

Mr. Stobie’s father, Andrew Wemyss Stobie, was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II and received his basic training at the Sampson Naval Base, where the cemetery is now located. Andrew Stobie served as a gunner’s mate in charge of four machine gun nests aboard the U.S.S. Crowley. He fought in nearly every major campaign in the Pacific Theatre during the War and remained stationed in occupied Tokyo after the U.S. victory over Japan.

In addition, musician Jack Jacob Jarosinski will perform a special bagpipe salute to our veterans and play “Amazing Grace” at the close of the dedication. The National Anthem will be sung by soloist Leigh Consolie of Geneva.

“It is an honor that so many remarkable local musicians have come forward and contributed their talents to make this momentous day for our servicemen and women even more memorable,” said Senator Nozzolio. “ I thank Andy Stobie and the entire Seneca Falls Community Band, Jack Jarosinski, and Leigh Consolie for helping us pay tribute to those who served our Nation with courage, honor and dignity.”

The Seneca Falls Community Band is currently celebrating its 27^th season of performing concerts throughout the Finger Lakes Region. 

Jack Jarosinski of Ontario, New York, who will play bagpipes during the ceremony, also has deep roots in the Finger Lakes Region and a special commitment to our veterans. His brother, William Jarosinski, was a veteran of the Army who served in the Vietnam War and was awarded three Purple Heart medals for injuries he sustained while fighting to defend our Nation. After William Jarosinski passed away last year, Jack continues to honor the memory of his brother by playing bagpipes at military funerals and other events commemorating the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

Vocalist Leigh Consolie of Geneva, who will be singing the National Anthem at the dedication ceremony, also has a family tradition of proud service to our Nation. Her father, Joseph Augustine, served in the Army during the time of World War II. An accomplished performer, Leigh has been the honorary soloist for the Geneva Red Wings baseball team and the Williamson Cubs in Pennsylvania for years.

The dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, July 30^th at 11:00 a.m. at the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery, just south of Sampson State Park along Route 96A in Romulus. That portion of Route 96A has been officially renamed the “Sampson Veterans Memorial Highway” to further memorialize all veterans, and in particular the men and women who trained and served at the Sampson Air Force and Naval Base.