Governor Hochul: “Only 1 percent of Americans ever stand up to be trained, to wear a uniform and be willing to lay down their lives for the fellow man. That, to me, is extraordinary, and I take that seriously ... My heart continues to break for these families and all the Gold Star families, and so in awe of those who wear a uniform in the past or today. Your Governor is so grateful, and on behalf of 20 million New Yorkers, I say thank you.”

Hochul: “I want to point out something that I believe the Mayor was getting at: you didn't know whether the person serving next to you … whether they're from a blue state or a red state; you don't know how they vote; and actually, you don't care because this is a bonding moment for all of us. These days, this service to be true Americans and I think it's about time we all stand up and proudly honor the flag, honor the traditions that have brought us together.”

Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul marched in Albany’s Memorial Day parade. The Governor also announced that 16 state landmarks will be illuminated red, white, and blue tonight, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day.

B-ROLL of the Governor marching in the parade and Gold Star families laying the wreath at the memorial monument is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

?Good morning and thank you Commander and all the members of the veterans organizations — the Gold Star families who are part of a club that they never imagined or wanted to be part of, but there's a tight, tight bond that makes them continue on in the name of their loved ones; to those who are serving our country here, but also abroad.

There are people in harm's way that are sent there by our country to defend freedoms, and we never forget them either. But we go back in history — you heard the Reverend talk about 1.4 million Americans since the Revolutionary War to the present time have lost their lives.

And I want to point out something that I believe the Mayor was getting at: you didn't know whether the person serving next to you — whether it was in Vietnam, like I had four uncles, or my father-in-law who served in World War II or my cousins who are National Guard today — you don't know whether they're from a blue state or a red state; you don't know how they vote; and actually, you don't care because this is a bonding moment for all of us.

These days, this service to be true Americans and I think it's about time we all stand up and proudly honor the flag, honor the traditions that have brought us together since the beginning of our baby country. We are still so young and learning so much, but it is traditions like this that you come out to and to those who brought your family and children. It is so essential that they see this. I had my little 3-year-old granddaughter here because I wanted her to see what people do; they come together.

And there are families here today who didn't expect to be here. The Frankoski family: their beloved Casey was lost just a little over a year ago; the Grassia family: their son, John. What I said at the funerals is that there must be something really special about the parenting, the conversations that go on at home, the life lessons that are taught that inspire their very children to say, “I'm willing to put myself in harm's way to defend people I may never, ever see,” and that's exactly what Casey and John were doing in March of 2024 when they tragically went down in a helicopter crash. We'll continue to remember them. We're acknowledging them in ways that we know will keep their names alive.

And I want to acknowledge the fact that I signed legislation naming a Rensselaer Bridge in Casey's honor. I want people to see that and say, “Who was she? Why is her name on this bridge?” Ask the question so her name and understanding her story are never forgotten. And I'm in the progress of naming a Rotterdam Bridge in honor of John so again, people will see their names memorialized. And we talk about these people not just on the day like today — and what a spectacularly beautiful day this is — but forevermore, and know that only 1 percent of Americans ever stand up to be trained, to wear a uniform and willing to lay down their lives for the fellow man. That, to me, is extraordinary, and I take that seriously.

I sit in that very building and make decisions about where our National Guard will go for State service. I have had to send them into harm's way — natural disasters, man-made disasters here in our own State, and I could not be prouder, but the weight of that responsibility on my shoulders weighs heavily. I do not take it lightly because there are far too many families today that wish their loved one was at a picnic with them today instead of having their names memorialized.

My heart continues to break for these families and all the Gold Star families, and so in awe of those who wear a uniform in the past or today.

Your Governor is so grateful, and on behalf of 20 million New Yorkers, I say thank you — and I say very loudly: God bless the great State of New York and God bless America.