65.0°,
Mostly Cloudy and Windy East Meadow remembers the fallen
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Edward Grant served as grand marshal
Under sunny skies, East Meadow residents lined local streets on Monday to celebrate our nation’s veterans, past and present, at the community’s annual Memorial Day Parade.
The festivities kicked off in the East Meadow High School parking lot. The East Meadow American Legion Post 1082, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Jewish War Veterans were accompanied by the East Meadow Fire Department, as well as students from East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high schools. Local Boy and Girl Scout troops also marched.
Along the route, spectators waved American flags and other patriotic insignia.
Edward C. Grant, of the American Legion, served as the grand marshal. Rev. Thomas Nowak offered the benediction, and County Legislature Presiding Officer Gonsalves and Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, among other local elected officials, were also on hand to lend a few words at the ceremony.
Meet the grand marshal
Edward Grant was born in Brooklyn, on May 6, 1941. After completing his civilian education, he enlisted in the New York Army National Guard on October 31, 1962. He served with the 2nd BN 104th Field Artillery, Jamaica, NY for eight years, rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class. He then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in August of 1969, serving with the HQ 77th United States Army Reserve Command at Fort Totten.
While in the 77th, Grant served in various staff positions, starting with the adjutant general section, training section, and as an HQ public affairs officer, and returned to the training section handling military education for all officers and enlisted personnel in the Army Reserve throughout New York until his retirement in July 1993. Throughout his entire career, he served as a civilian employee (dual status) U.S. Army Reserve Technician.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Grant is a graduate of many career service schools such as the Army Warrant Officer Senior Course. He also is the recipient of numerous award and decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, USAR Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon and the Expert Rifleman Badge (M-1 and Carbine).
He is married to Kathy for 45 years. They have two children, Kevin and Elizabeth (Steinert) and three grandchildren: Erin, David and Hannah. They have resided in East Meadow for the past 34 years.
