By Jennifer Marino
Macken Mortuary handed out American flags from its Model A Ford and pipers from the Nassau County Firefighters flew the flag from their bagpipes. One of the first marchers was Rockville Centre's police commissioner, Jack McKeon, who just returned from serving in the war on terrorism. He was joined by members of the Army, the Marine Corps, the Air Force and the Coast Guard. Lieutenant Doug Almskog, the Coast Guard representative, said that his son, Eric, who is also in the Coast Guard, was just activated.
The men and women in uniform received enthusiastic applause from onlookers. The crowd thickened as the parade neared the end of Maple Avenue and rounded the corner to pass by Village Hall and St. Agnes Cathedral. The sunny, warm weather may have inspired villagers to come out and enjoy the celebration after a rough winter.
Parade Grand Marshal Joseph Roughan, looking spiffy in his tails and ascot, waved to the crowd, many of whom were shouting his name. Roughan, born in Ireland, raised his family in Rockville Centre and helped found the parade in 1997. It was a full weekend of activities, with the Grand Marshal's reception on Friday night and the commemorative Mass on Saturday morning. "It's a jam-filled, fun-packed weekend," said Jane Dorney Husser, parade manager.
There were 21 pipe bands and a contingent of Irish wolfhounds. The gentle giants are the tallest breed recognized by the American Kennel Club. New to the line of march this year was the Hempstead High School Marching Band, which won the best performance group prize along with Leggz Ltd. dance ensemble. Also new were the Transit Pride Department Pipe and Drum Band, the Blackthorn Pipe Band, Silva Dance Academy and several local fire departments.
Other prize winners included the New York City Department of Corrections, best pipe band; the "Choisin Few" Korean War Marines, best military group; and the Rockville Centre F.D., best fire department.
The crowd included many families, from grandparents to babies, decked out in green clothes, shamrocks and Irish sweaters. The kids waved flags and scrambled to pick up plastic beads and whistles handed out by some of the marchers.
As usual, the parade donated proceeds from its various events to three charities, including a new RVC St. Patrick's Parade Scholarship Fund. Also receiving funds were the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association and the Literacy Volunteers of America, Nassau County, both of which marched in the parade.
Dorney Husser is looking forward to next year, hoping to make the parade bigger and better, with more marchers such as veterans' groups and high school marching bands.
