By Staff

May 22, 2019: George McKinnis will serve as the grand marshal for the Bronxville Memorial Day parade and commemoration on Monday, May 27.  

McKinnis graduated from Oklahoma University in 1959 with an army second lieutenant's rank, having gone through Army ROTC. He was sent to the Infantry Officers Leadership School in Fort Benning, Georgia, and thereafter to a duty station. He then served in the Army Reserves while attending Michigan Law School. McKinnis was called back to active duty at Fort Lewis in Washington State in 1961 and thereafter finished Michigan Law School, a captain in the Army Reserves.

McKinnis credits his career in the Army Reserves, with two tours of duty, with teaching him "the art of true leadership." McKinnis learned the importance of creating “a team bond between leaders and followers where the followers trust their leaders to not put their lives (or, in civilian occupations--livelihoods) at risk.”  

In addition to his military service, McKinnis has served the Bronxville village for 30 years, 24 as justice. In this capacity, he worked closely with Mayor Mary Marvin, who describes him as being "old school," which means having "high standards of character, courtesy, respect, integrity, patience, an uncompromising ethical compass, all tempered by the umbrella of compassion." McKinnis has also served as president of the Rotary Club three times, president of the Bronxville Beautification Council for nine years, and president of Working Gardeners.

Based on his military experiences and the many wars that the U.S. has participated in, beginning with WWI and continuing in Iraq and Afghanistan, McKinnis believes it is very important to memorialize "our servicemen and women who have given their lives while in the military ….We must all memorialize their lives and their sacrifices in every way possible." 

For McKinnis, grand marshal does not honor him. Rather, it honors "our servicemen and women." 

See below for a full list of Memorial Day week events in Bronxville and Eastchester.

Memorial Day Week Events at The Bronxville School

By Mariana Mingo, Member, Bronxville PTA

Come join us for the Bronxville PTA's Memorial Day country fair on Friday, May 24, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the front lawn of the Bronxville School.

This year's Country Fair and Food Fairway, chaired by Mariana Mingo and Heather Scholes, will feature a petting zoo and bungee jumping. Additional attractions include rock climbing, rides, carnival games and prizes, inflatable obstacle courses, bounce houses, and a DJ. Come for dinner and enjoy a bite from Mac’s Truck, Walter's Hot Dogs, Greek Specialties, Salsa Fresca Grill, Mobile Pie Truck, and Kona Ice.

Also back this year is our very popular Bake-off Competition, chaired by Brigid Garelik, on Friday, May 24, at the school's front lawn. Donations will be accepted from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Judging begins at 6:15 pm and winners will be announced at 7:00 pm.

Does everybody say that you make the best cookies? Or pies? Or cakes? Time to prove them right. There is a new category this year: Young Bakers, for kids 15 and under. The top winners in each category will receive a gift card. Winners selected in four categories (best pie, cake, cookie/brownie, young bakers) will then compete for the coveted blue ribbon and bragging rights for a year. Sign up for the bake-off competition at bronxvillepta.org or by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Country fair bracelets are available online now at bronxvillepta.org. Pre-sale bracelets are $20. Bracelets purchased at the door will be $25. Bracelets are for children ages 3 to 16 and are good for all you can ride. Pre-sale bracelets can be purchased at the school (Meadow Avenue and canopy entrances) on May 22, 23, and 24 from 8:00 to 8:30 am and at the school's front lawn on May 22 and 23 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Here is a listing of the Memorial Day Festivities organized by the Bronxville School PTA from Wednesday, May 22 until Saturday, May 25.

Fitness Fundraiser at Pure Barre, chaired by Hollis Morris, sponsored by Pure Barre Bronxville. All proceeds will benefit the Bronxville School PTA. Thursday, May 23, at 12:30 pm (age restrictions: 16 and up).

Apparel Sale, chaired by Sarah Pulkkinen and Mariana Mingo. Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 23, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday, May 24, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm at the school's front lawn.

Used-Book Sale, chaired by Hollis Morris: Wednesday, May 22, from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm, Thursday, May 23, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, and Friday, May 24, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm on the school's front lawn. Drop off your gently used books on Monday and Tuesday, May 20 and 21, at the school auditorium lobby entrance ONLY (on Pondfield Road/near Meadow Avenue).

Dollar Raffle, chaired by Lisa McGovern Ryan: Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 23, from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, and Friday, May 24, from 2:30 pm to 8:00 pm on the school's front lawn.

Adult Raffle, chaired by Kathryn Kempton. Tickets will be on sale at pre-sale tables from Wednesday, May 22, to Friday, May 24, and at the country fair. Don’t miss out on the amazing “experience” prizes we have this year. From Broadway to sports, fine dining, sommelier-guided wine tastings, and multiple other opportunities to unwind, treat yourself, and have fun.

Cupcake Café, chaired by Kate Fixmer and Gina Nigido. Thursday, May 23, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Meadow Avenue school entrance and 2:30 to 4:00 pm on the school's front lawn. Friday, May 24, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Meadow Avenue school entrance and 2:30 to 8:00 pm on the school's front lawn.

Memorial Day Country Fair and Food Fairway. Friday, May 24, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on the school's front lawn. Details above.

James E. Kearney Run for Fun chaired by Matt Young and sponsored by The Kearney Family. Begins on Saturday, May 25, at 8:45 am at the school's front lawn. Register in advance at bronxvillepta.org, at the Bronxville Running Company on Friday, May 24, from noon to 2:00 pm, and at the country fair. Enjoy 20% off full-priced items at Bronxville Running Company with your paid registration or race bib. 

Kids’ Dash and Obstacle Course chaired by Matt Young. Saturday, May 25, at 9:30 am by the Bronxville School playground. Register at bronxvillepta.com and at the country fair. Same-day registration is available.

Annual Dog Parade & Show, chaired by Regina Thompson. Saturday, May 25, at 11:00 am at the PTA village on the school's front lawn. Your pampered pooch needs a parade. Don't miss the grooming, the show, and, of course, don't miss the parade. Register at bronxvillepta.com. Same-day registration is available.

Click here for the schedule of events on the Bronxville PTA website and here for descriptions of the events on the website.

Note: Rain date for the country fair is Saturday, May 25, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.

Memorial Day Events Sponsored by the Village of Bronxville

By Staff 

Memorial Day Parade: Monday, May 27. The annual Memorial Day parade begins sharply at 9:00 am. Those marching in the parade should gather on the west side of town by the train station by 8:45 am. The grand marshal is George McKinnis.

Speech and Commemoration of War Dead: The mayor's speech and commemoration of war dead will be held on the school's front lawn at the end of the parade at around 9:45 am. 

Memorial Day Events Sponsored by the Town of Eastchester

By Staff

Eastchester Tuckahoe Memorial Day Ceremony Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day/Battle of the Bulge and the 74th Anniversary of Iwo Jima:  Sunday, May 26 at the Eastchester High School auditorium at 7:00 pm.  "They gave their tomorrow so we could enjoy our today."  Presented by Eastchester/Tuckahoe Veterans Ceremony Committee.  Remember*Respect*Reflect

Pictured here: Top photo: George McKinnis (photo by N. Bower); second photo: Memorial Day dog (photo by A. Warner).

Editor's note:  As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes press releases, statements, and articles from local institutions, officeholders, candidates, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.