A day of remembrance and community spirit

By REINE BETHANY

rbethany@liherald.com

With flags waving and band instruments shining bright in the sunlight, Freeport’s Memorial Day parade honored the sacrifice of the community’s fallen soldiers.

Beginning at the high school, the parade processed up West Merrick Road to Freeport Memorial Library, named for the stone war memorial placed on its front lawn in 1924. 

Veterans who are members of Freeport’s American Legion William Clinton Story Post 342 carried its large banner and acknowledged spectators’ cheers with big smiles as they passed. 

The village’s many organizations and groups stretched in colorful ranks all along the parade route. Members of the volunteer Fire Department, the state’s largest, marched in midnight-blue columns, followed by a long line of fire trucks and rescue vehicles. 

District students ages 9 and up showcased their musical abilities, marching, playing and dancing. 

After Deacon Bruce Burnham, of Our Holy Redeemer RC Church, delivered the invocation, Post 342 member Dominic Albanese led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Freeport High musicians beautifully played the national anthem. 

After welcoming the dignitaries in attendance, parade announcer William H. White Jr. turned the microphone over to Mayor Robert Kennedy, who, at the conclusion of his remarks, offered a cautionary quote from American journalist Elmer Davis: “This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” 

Post 342 treasurer and Past Commander Calvin Andrew introduced the parade’s grand marshal, Coy Richardson, a highly decorated Vietnam veteran who has lived in Freeport with his wife, Pat, for the last 50 years. 

“I pray that one day all the Viet POWS and MIAs will return safely,” Richardson said. “And today, I stand for my father, who was a World War II veteran.”

Archivist and librarian Regina Feeney read out the name of the soldier who was honored this year by the placing of the wreath before the war monument. 

“Sergeant Robert A. Hendriks,” Feeney said, “was assigned to Weapons Company 2nd Battalion 25th Marines in Garden City. He died on April 8, 2019 [in Afghanistan]. He died at the age of 25.” 

Post 342 Chaplain Marie Houanche led prayers for Hendriks and his family. Three Freeport High School trumpeters played “Taps” so movingly that a long silent moment followed before applause rewarded their performance. 

The Nassau County Sheriff’s Honor Guard next folded the broad American flag that had lain across the stone war monument during the parade.

Chaplain Houanche received it and conferred it upon Marianne Endo and her son Lester Endo Jr., in commemoration of Navy veteran Lester Endo, who died last summer. 

Rev. Phil Prestamo, pastor of Cornerstone Church on Pine Street, prayed the benediction. Calvin Andrew and Post 342 Commander Eric Young retired the colors, removing the U.S. and Post 342 flags from their stanchions by the war monument and carrying them away. 

Among the spectators was Freeport resident and Vietnam veteran Tim Regan, 69, and his wife of 48 years, Marie Regan, 70.

“The parade is a good thing,” Tim Regan said. “It brings people in the village out to remember, to talk with each other.” 

“It’s more than just barbecues and parades,” said Marie Regan, “it’s to honor those people who sacrificed themselves.” 

Freeporters Stephen and Monica Maresco had come to the parade for the first time to see their nephew, Justin Perdomo, playing trombone with the Atkinson School band.

“Freeport’s my hometown,” said Monica. “I enjoy that we honor our veterans and give them the respect that they’re due. It’s a beautiful, gorgeous day.”

In the shade of a tree on the library lawn, 13-year-old Charles Wapples rested his trumpet in the crook of his arm. He had marched and played with the band from John W. Dodd Intermediate School. 

“I like being in the band because I like playing the instrument, especially on Memorial Day,” said Charles. “It honors our veterans who lost their lives during World War II.”

“We always come out for the parade,” said his mother, Shawn Hills-Wapples, as their high school-age daughter Christina came across the street to join her and husband Lawrence Wapples. “We live here, we love it here, and the parade shows the beauty we have in our community in Freeport.” 

“It’s town pride,” said Lawrence. “It’s like Freeport’s one big family.”