Preparing for the parade

Participants and spectators always appreciate Freeport’s yearly Memorial Day Parade. The lineup of school sports teams and bands, churches, clubs and other organizations creates a powerful sound and sight, especially when the veterans, the active military, and uniformed members of the police and fire departments bring up the rear, sirens wailing and lights flashing on fire trucks and police vehicles.

But the deepest meaning of the parade is found in the modest headquarters of American Legion William Clinton Story Post 342 on South Ocean Avenue. There, post members support one another, and do work that supports other veterans and benefits the community.

As Memorial Day approaches, the memories of wartime sacrifices always surface. Post 342 members share the sorrow and triumph attached to the yearly events.

EDDIE MARTIN, 76, Past Post 342 Commander 

Memorial Day to me is sadness, remembering friends and people that I knew that gave the ultimate sacrifice for their families and never got the chance to enjoy their life. They gave it up for the freedom that we enjoy every day.

COY RICHARDSON, 73, Past Commander of Post 342, and 2022 Parade  Marshal 

Memorial Day shows your appreciation of the men and women who serve your country, and it makes them feel good.

When I came back from Vietnam in the middle of the 1960s, I was in a bad spirit. I didn’t want to have anything to do with the military because I was having issues with the VA as far as getting myself taken care of, mentally and physically, from being in Vietnam. Then, 20 years ago, the first day I marched down Merrick Road in the Freeport parade, I got tears in my eyes.

One thing about me and others who fought in Vietnam: We didn’t run to another country. We put on our uniforms and served our country bravely.

MARIE HOUANCHE, Post 342 Chaplain 

Memorial Day, to me, is to remember those who passed away in order for us to be here today. Also, my grandson, my son, it’s important to teach them the history. My grandson is 10 and he’s marching in the parade. We have to go buy him a white shirt, navy blue pants, white sneakers. He goes to Archer School. This is the first time he’s playing the French horn!

From generation to generation, the history has to be handed down as to the meaning of it. My son is a fireman here in Freeport. His name is Herve Neptune. My grandson is Herve Neptune Jr. I just feel proud we have three generations marching in the parade.

I’ve had people chew me out when I say, if we had the draft here, the problems we have now, we’d never have, because in the military you learn discipline, you learn honesty, you learn God and country. 

HAROLD MURRAY, 69, Post 342 Member 

I feel sad for the young people that never came back from the war I served in, Vietnam. It’s ironic that people that went to Canada rather than serve came back like they were the heroes. To me, that really hurts, when I think of kids coming out of high school that were forced to go over there because there was a draft then.

Vietnam vets were treated very badly by civilians. When we came home, we used to have to change at the airports so we wouldn’t get abused  just walking down the street.

You have to remember, the ’60s and ’70s were all about free love, protests. I think going into the military saved me from that drug culture. A lot of my friends are not here now because they either got into drugs or other things that I was getting away from. And when I came back, I joined the New York City Police, spent 23 years there.

I can understand people that have different points of view. I still think the Vietnam War was wrong — especially now, looking back, you see Vietnam is a tourist attraction today. A lot of the old GIs who fought there have gone back over to see what it’s like. It wasn’t a domino effect, you know, the government back then said, “Everything’s going to turn communist.” It didn’t happen. Since then we’ve gotten into other bad wars, like Iraq, Afghanistan. But you’re still going to find young people that are going to go and serve their country.

BARRY GRIGGS, 78, Post 342 Member

I’m originally from Pennsylvania. I joined the military when I was 19. I went to basic training, then I went into the military police academy, then to Korea. I spent 13 months over there, doing military police duties in Seoul. When I completed my tour of three years, I got out and joined the New York City Police Department. I spent a career there, and I’m happily retired now.

I joined Post 342 when I moved here two and a half years ago. On Memorial Day, I think about all the veterans that lost their lives and I salute them. I pray daily and often for all military and all mankind. I try to serve the post here in any way I can. I’m a membership guy; I got 46 members into the New Hyde Park Elks, and I’ll find new members for here.