On Memorial Day remembering those who sacrificed their lives

It was not the usual fire truck-, marching band-, Little League-, Scout-filled Memorial Day Parade that the Hewlett-Woodmere communities are accustomed to, but as the world reemerges after the coronavirus pandemic Monday’s ceremony at the Veterans Triangle in Hewlett paid homage to the men and women who died in the military service of this country.

Memorial Day, which began as Decoration Day, originated after the Civil War and was declared a federal holiday in 1971. On the somber side, the day commemorates the United States’ war dead and on the sunnier side is the unofficial beginning of the summer season.

“Today, we remember and honor the military personnel who died sacrificing their lives serving in the United States armed forces,” said Chabad of Hewlett Rabbi Nochem Tenenboim. “May we never forget those who made this sacrifice to secure for our nation the blessing of life, liberty and justice for all.”

Rev. Christopher Ballard from Trinity-St. John’s Church in Hewlett acknowledged the presence of veterans Pat Alesia, Frank Basile, Domenic Crici, Mitchell Dancyger and Syd Mandelbaum, “I thank you for your service on behalf of everyone here we thank you for your service,” he said, noting that a member of his family has fought in every American war dating back to the Revolution. “It is an incredible thing to not only serve this nation in the name of peace and in the name of justice and fairness and to stand up against oppression, but also it is those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, which of course is their lives.”

Since 1923, Lawrence-Cedarhurst American Legion Post 339 has existed, said post Commander Syd Mandelbaum, a Cedarhurst resident. “We have had over the years so many residents who belonged to the American Legion post,” he said, noting that lifelong Five Towns resident and longtime Cedarhurst mayor, Andrew Parise, who died in 2015, was a member. Parise was part of the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp.

“We have a responsibility today, more than any other day to think about those that have died in the name of freedom,” Mandelbaum said, adding that people should do good deeds in their memory. “Men and women were killed. Memorial Day is not a happy event. Think of it as a mindful Memorial Day, so we can think of those who sacrificed.”