From parade organizer to grand marshal

For more than three decades, Jerry Hahn was instrumental in selecting the grand marshal for Valley Stream’s Memorial Day parade. This year, the honor goes to him.

Hahn, a member of American Legion Post 854 and VFW Post 1790, served as parade chairman for 34 years, stepping down from the role three years ago. In recognition of both his service to his country and his community, he will be the ceremonial leader of this year’s parade, which will step off at 9:30 a.m. Monday.

As parade chairman, Hahn had numerous responsibilities. He sought the participation of Valley Stream’s various organizations, get necessary permits from the village, and set the order of march. It was a process that began in January. Because of his active role in organizing the event, Hahn said, he probably has never seen the parade from start to finish.

He added that it is important to honor the men and women who have served and sacrificed their lives for their country, and serving as parade chairman gave him a sense of fulfillment. He explained that it is important to keep their memories alive, and that’s why the name of every person from Valley Stream who died in war is read in a ceremony on the Village Green following the parade.

For years, Hahn has read the names on the World War II list, by far the longest. Sixty-six people from Valley Stream lost their lives in that war, and Hahn plans to read those names again this year. He said that if one person hears a family member’s name called, it is worth the effort.

Hahn, who grew up in Far Rockaway, joined the Army in 1965, and completed his basic training at Fort Jackson in North Carolina. He served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, as a combat infantry soldier with the 765th Securities Platoon. “I knew I was going to get drafted,” he said of his reason for volunteering. “There was no doubt back then.”

During his service, he was responsible for guarding the perimeter of an airfield, and said he saw only light combat. “I was very lucky that I came back all in one piece,” he said.

He was discharged in 1968. Hahn said he later learned that someone he went to boot camp with was killed in the war, and he always thinks about that friend on Memorial Day.