One of Valley Stream's oldest and most cherished traditions is its Memorial Day parade, when hundreds of marchers join many more hundreds of sideline spectators along the Rockaway Parkway, Rockaway Avenue, Valley Stream Boulevard route, concluding with solemn remembrance ceremonies at Hicks Street.
The Valley Stream Veterans Memorial Day Committee will hold its annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Wheeler Avenue and Rockaway Parkway. The line of march will then proceed south down to Rockaway Avenue to Valley Stream Boulevard, west to Verona Place, turning left to band shell.
The Parade Grand Marshal is Walter Lawlor, Honorary Past Commander of the Andrew Fatscher American Legion Post 854. Following the Grand Marshal in the parade will be Commander Richard O'Hara of Post 854 and Commander Gregory Feist of the VFW Post.
At the conclusion of the parade, memorial services will be held at the Veterans Memorial Monument on the corner of Valley Stream Blvd and Hicks Street. The services include reading the names of Valley Stream veterans who gave their life in defense of our country.
Another event of commemoration will be on Saturday at the Central High School War Memorial in front of the school on Fletcher Avenue. Ceremonies are planned for 11 a.m. The Central High School Alumni Scholarship Foundation will conduct the solemn event.
Monday's parade is co-organized by the American Legion Post 854 and VFW Post 1790, with the American Legion being the host post this year. This year the parade chairman is Jerry Hahn of the American Legion and co-chairman is Commander Gregory Feist of the VFW Post.
The Rev. Robert W. Howard of the Grace United Methodist Church will be doing both the Invocation and the Benediction. Mayor Edward W Cahill will also say a few words on behalf of the village.
The Air National Guard will fly over the Veterans Memorial in Black Hawk helicopters during the reading of the names on the Memorial. All organizations marching in the parade are requested to report for lineup by 9 a.m., so the parade may start promptly at 9:30.
The committee in charge of the parade consists of Jerome E. Hahn, Parade Co-Chairman and Commander, VFW; Richard O'Hara, Commander, American Legion; Ed Yesnach, Sr. Vice Commander, VFW; George Fox, Jr. Vice Commander, VFW; Joe Marando, Past Commander, VFW; Ken Mittwoch, Honor Guard Commander, American Legion; Al Goldberg, Honor Guard Commander, VFW; Jim Towell, Past Commander, American Legion; George Erfurt, Past Commander, American Legion; Ron Sabo, Past Commander, American Legion; Martin Kielawa, American Legion; Walter Fatscher, Past Commander, American Legion; Vincent W. Ang, Village Clerk; and Jack Sharkey, American Legion Post 854.
