Despite rain forcing the cancellation of the annual Rockville Centre Memorial Day parade on May 25, residents still gathered to honor the nation’s fallen service members during an indoor memorial ceremony at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center.
The ceremony drew a large crowd of veterans, local officials, Scouts from throughout Rockville Centre and community members who filled the center after weather conditions made it unsafe for the parade to proceed through the village streets. Organizers moved the observance indoors to ensure the village’s annual tradition of remembrance continued uninterrupted.
This year’s parade grand marshal, retired Colonel Edward G. Casazza, addressed attendees during the ceremony. Casazza, a longtime U.S. Army officer with more than three decades of military service, spoke about the importance of remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice and preserving the meaning behind Memorial Day.
Throughout his military career, Casazza served in numerous transportation and artillery leadership roles and supported operations including Desert Shield, Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism. He received several military honors, including the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal. Casazza’s brother, Paul, served as the parade’s grand marshal in 2005.
Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray and American Legion Post 303 Chaplain Mark Getman also spoke during the ceremony, thanking veterans and residents for continuing to honor Memorial Day despite the weather.
By the conclusion of the indoor ceremony, the rain had stopped, allowing participants to move outside the recreation center for the traditional wreath-laying ceremony beside the Vietnam War memorial in tribute to fallen military service members.
The seven wreaths featured red, white and blue floral arrangements with sashes representing the Rockville Centre Police Department, Rockville Centre Fire Department, the Police Benevolent Association, Cub Scout Pack 163, Scouting America Troops 163, 214 and 40, Legion Post 303 and Glynn Funeral Home.
