By Mike Russo
George Schuchman, a Valley Stream resident for over 50 years and member of American Legion Post 854 led the Memorial Day Parade as Grand Marshal this past Monday.
In his past military service, Schuchman worked on board the USS Lexington during the Vietnam War.
Schuchman worked in the V-2 Division of the Lexington handling arresting gear as a hook runner. As a hook runner, he was responsible for the cable laid down on the deck of the ship to stop the aircraft when it landed. This job was one of the most dangerous on the ship, according to Schuchman, because if the cable snapped, the pilot and the people on deck could be at risk.
Schuchman joined the Navy in 1972 when he was 18 after having been first interested in the Air Force. After qualifying for the Navy, Schuchman was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. According to Schuchman, it was hard to accept, at first, the fact that he would have to cut his hair to join the Navy, but it encouraged him to always look sharp and shine his shoes to have a better image in the eye of the public.
"I knew guys from Valley Stream Central who had gone to Vietnam. It was the right thing to do," said Schuchman.
Among Schuchman
