By JOSEPH KELLARD
Lining the parade's route, beginning at Salamander Hook, Ladder and Bucket Co. on Foxhurst Rd., traveling down Long Beach Rd. and ending at Firemen's Memorial Field on Mott St., were kids of all ages, from 3 to 83, who sat in strollers and lawn chairs or stood with salty pretzels, chocolate ice pops and America stick flags in hand.
Leading the way was the OFD and local politicians, including Nassau County Legislator Jeff Toback and Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino. In their wake were fire departments from Nassau County districts such as Baldwin and Elmont, Suffolk County districts such as Deer Park, and from Storm King, (upstate) New York, and Winchester, Virginia, who have affiliations with Oceanside.
Antique fire trucks, among which were motorless cars from the early twentieth century, and classic automobiles, which included a Cadillac convertible from the 1970s, rode in the armada. All along, drum beats vibrated under foot and brass instruments, xylophones, and bagpipes pierced the cool, comfortable summer air as bands played such parade standards as "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Grand Ole Flag," "When Johnny Comes Marching Home," and "Let Freedom Reign."
"I liked the fire trucks and the [American] flags," said Gina Cilento, 3, of Oceanside, who, along with her parents, John and Marsha, and sister, Samantha, enjoyed the parade in front of Baskin Robbins on Long Beach Rd.
"I really like the old cars and it's nice to see the older fire trucks, too," said Joe Gladin, 42, a life-long Oceansider who has watched parades go down his town's main thoroughfare since his boyhood.
For 18 years, beginning in the mid-1960s, Oceanside held a parade each summer with participants from Nassau and Suffolk departments. Since then, the town holds a battalion parade with participants from five surrounding districts who rotate in hosting it every six years. Oceanside held it last in 1998.
"We received a lot of well wishes and congratulations from the Town of Hempstead and surrounding fire departments. 100 years is a great milestone," said Bob Bettes, former chief of the OFD and chairman of the 100th Anniversary Committee, while finishing a hamburger at Firemen's Field.
"It's been great being the chief this year because we've been celebrating the department's tradition throughout the year," said Kris Andoos, chief of OFD. "Salamander has been around for 100 years and it's been my company since I became a fireman back in 1974."
In addition to reaching its century mark, the OFD is also celebrating Steven Klein, former chief of Terrace Co. in Oceanside, who was promoted this year to President of Nassau County Fire Association.
For others, the shadow of Sept. 11 factored prominently in their reasons for coming to the parade.
"I think it's wonderful parade," said Robert Bott, 76, of Freeport, who tipped his fedora each time a fire department marched by displaying the American flag. "I see the flags and I get a chill. Being an ex-serviceman [who fought in World War II] it means a lot to come honor these firemen. They deserve all the credit they can get."
All the parade's participants filed into Firemen's Memorial Field, where a carnival, complete with various rides and games, was held from last Thursday to Sunday, and where tournaments involving ladder and hose events with both old-fashioned and motorized trucks were run.
"I've always come to these parades in Oceanside," said Mary Andoos, mother of Kris, "but this year was a really great parade."
