REMINDER: Citizens encouraged to assemble in downtown Boonville for the arrival of Private Hennessey’s remains Thursday evening, August 21

BOONVILLE- The remains of U.S. Army Private Harland J. Hennessey are expected to arrive sometime Thursday evening, August 21, 2025.

As the plans for his homecoming have been hashed out over these last few months, there have been a few tweaks and adjustments made, but the arrangements are now final.

Private Hennessey’s remains are expected to land in Rochester, NY some time shortly before 5:00 p.m. His homecoming journey began on Tuesday, August 19 all the way from Hawaii.

From the airport in Rochester, a New York State Police escort will lead Hennessey, his family and Trainor Funeral Home along I-90 to Utica, NY, where a motorcycle procession, organized thanks to the Patriot Guard Motorcycle Veterans and other groups, will take over and lead the procession north along State Route 12 to Boonville, NY.

U.S. Army Private Harland J. Hennessey image.

Hennessey is estimated to arrive sometime after 8:00 p.m. He served his country during WWII in the Pacific Theater and was captured. He ultimately passed away in a prisoner of war camp, but his remains were properly identified last-year.

The motorcycle escorts will cut-off where Main Street joins with State Route 12, while the rest of the procession will terminate at Trainor Funeral Home, 143 Schuyler Street.

Of course, the timing is all approximate and will be adjusted if the plane ends up being late.

We will be in direct contact with the procession and will provide both social media and on-air updates as they approach. 

U.S. Veterans and Harland J. Hennessey images.