By JUDY RATTNER
Onlookers gathered at intersections along Maple Avenue to watch the Memorial Day Parade, which featured former servicemen affiliated with American Legion Post 303, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 145 and the Chosin Few as well as the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
Grand Marshal Army Capt. Mary Ross, a 1982 graduate of South Side High School who returned home last fall from active duty in Iraq, and is now in the reserves, led the parade and delivered the keynote speech.
"We've come together to honor the valor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Gus Lanzo, the parade's master of ceremonies and the commander of Post 303, told the crowd gathered near the reviewing stand at Veterans Memorial Park, outside the Recreation Center. "As we enjoy this gorgeous Memorial Day, it's important to remember the freedoms we take for granted are not free. That's why we're here today." Lanzo asked spectators to honor the memory of village native Lt. Ronald Winchester, who was killed in Iraq in September 2004.
After the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance and South Side High School junior Cathy Mackey sang the national anthem, Harald Kuehne, pastor emeritus of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, himself a veteran of World War II, quoted a song from "A Chorus Line" in his invocation, "We did what we had to do, won't forget, can't forget what we did for love."
"We did not forget, no regrets," Kuehne added. "We're here for love. People like you are helping to make this the kind of world we pray for. We have hard work to do, loads to lift. We will not forget the many, many who died for the sake of justice and liberty ... those who lost limbs and those who died knowing we are on their side."
Speaking into a malfunctioning public address system, Bossart thanked "parents, children, families, friends, firefighters, police officers and veterans for coming out to honor our history, our best values and our fallen servicemen and women. You are making a difference by being here today. You are remembering the sacrifices of our veterans.
"Memorial Day is a time for Americans to reconnect with their history and to honor the ideals and values that our soldiers stood for, fought for, and died for," Bossart said. "And it is the day when a grateful nation honors those veterans who throughout our history have stepped forward to make this sacrifice for us. Our presence here today is only possible because America's patriots were willing to give their lives to defend our nation. They are eternal witnesses to our liberty."
Captain Ross, whose speech was also hampered by the P.A. system, spoke of the many soldiers returning from war with post traumatic stress disorder, which, she said, is "just as deadly as any sniper or IED." (The full text of Ross's address is posted on the Herald's Web site.)
"During the last several years, Memorial Day has come to mean so much more to me," said Ross, who worked as a mental health services provider during her tour of duty. "I am no longer focused on those that have perished during battle or [from] a sniper or an IED ... I can't help but think of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers who have returned from war with life-altering, debilitating wounds, both seen and unseen." She cited statistics illustrating a large, and growing, number of suicides among servicemen and women.
"Failed relationships, tangled finances and legal problems, combined with the effects of this long war, play roles in suicides," she said. "While the factors contributing to this alarming rate - and there are many more, to be sure - I cannot but believe that the pace and frequency of multiple deployments figure in as well. You will not find the names of these soldiers on any memorial wall or honored in any fashion. But believe me, they are most certainly casualties of war. So please, if they are not honored publicly, please do so privately."
Although veterans come home to heroes' receptions and get help from the Department of Defense, Ross said, the best support she has found was at the American Legion Hall and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. Any feelings of isolation and estrangement vanished among others who have known combat. "So, if you know anyone," she said, "please encourage him or her to go. It might just be what saves their lives."
World War II Disabled Veteran representative George Antonucci next saluted fellow veterans of the war on the reviewing stand: Gus Lanzo, Charles Cino, Lester Wilensky, Dan Brandi, Peter Scaturro, Irwin Cohen, John Lamonica and Charles Franzini. The laying of wreaths was followed by a rifle salute led by Lt. Glenn Quinn of the village Police Department, a benediction, the playing of taps by the middle school band and the singing of "God Bless America" by Chris Mackey.
Participants in the parade also included Officer of the Day Lt. Col. Paul Casazza, Sen. Dean Skelos, Deputy Mayor Chuck Joyce and trustees Jeanne Mulry and Dave Krasula in its First Division.. Police Benevolent Association President James Carty, representatives of the Rockville Centre Police Department and the South Side Middle School Marching Band, under the direction of Todd Shusterman, comprised the parade's Second Division.
Members of Girl and Boy Scout troops and sports organizations, the Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce followed, as did Fire Chief Mark Murray, 1st Assistant John Busching and 2nd Assistant John Thorpe, with many volunteer firefighters in full dress uniform.
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