Thursday, October 1, 2026
Vietnam War veteran Peter Busch will serve as grand marshal of the Elmont American Legion Post 1033 Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, an honor he said represents both personal recognition and a broader tribute to service members.
Busch, 78, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served from 1968 to 1972 and spent 27 months in Southeast Asia, said being selected by members of American Legion Post 1033 was deeply meaningful.
“To be selected in the first place was an honor for me,” Busch said, noting that the nomination came through fellow veterans and community leaders involved with the post. “Everybody helps out, does what they can do, but once in a while somebody stands out a little bit.”
Busch was born in Elmhurst, Queens, and moved to Elmont at age 7 in 1955. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 shortly before turning 20 and later trained as a metals processing specialist, working with aircraft materials and mechanical systems during a period of heightened military demand.
He said his time in service shaped his outlook and remains central to how he views community events like the Memorial Day parade, which he sees as an opportunity to pass history and experience to younger generations.
During the parade, Busch will lead participants beginning with lineup at 9:30 a.m. at Sewanhaka High School. The procession is scheduled to step off at 10 a.m. and proceed through Elmont before concluding near the community gathering site.
The annual parade brings together veterans, students, civic organizations and families to honor U.S. service members who died in military service. Busch said the observance serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made across generations of service.
“I’m happy to be alive for the 250th,” he said, referring to the national milestone being recognized in some commemorations. “This only comes around once in a while.”
Busch added that the grand marshal role is less about individual recognition and more about representing all veterans in the community who served during wartime and in peacetime.
Busch was selected for his long-standing involvement in the community and continued connection to the post. Ralph Esposito of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency said the recognition reflects the importance of honoring living veterans during Memorial Day observances while also remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The agency works with Nassau County veterans and their families to connect them with federal, state, and local benefits, including healthcare access, disability claims assistance, housing support, and other services aimed at improving quality of life.
Following the parade, refreshments will be served at the American Legion post at 60 Hill Avenue, where participants and residents traditionally gather after the march for reflection and fellowship.
The parade route will feature local school groups, youth organizations and veterans’ contingents representing multiple eras of service, continuing a tradition that organizers say strengthens community ties through shared remembrance.
Memorial Day is observed nationwide to honor U.S. military personnel who died in service. In Elmont, the parade remains both a remembrance and a civic tradition, drawing residents together in recognition of sacrifice and service.
Busch said he views the honor to represent all veterans in the post and surrounding community rather than himself.
“I am honored to represent the veterans in our post and our community,” he said.
