By NANCY HILER
"It was absolutely great having one parade," said Myrna Weiman who marched with the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores." This was a long time coming."
In years past, veterans associations from Bellmore and North Bellmore sponsored two separate parades, dividing up participating veterans, youth and other groups, community resources, and onlookers.
Veterans from several groups marched in the parade, including the Bellmore and the North Bellmore American Legion posts and the Bellmore VFW post. Others who took part included the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores, the Mepham High School band, three blended bands made up of students from the six North Bellmore elementary schools and both Bellmore and North Bellmore fire departments. Also the Ford Model A and Bellmore Corvette clubs, and a number of Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores participated.
"There were a lot more people along the route" showing support for the veterans, said Fran Licausi who also marched with the Chamber.
Several members of the Anselmo family, residents watching from the sidelines, said that the parade was much nicer this way and that the event was much bigger. "The unified parade," added Joni Caputo, another Chamber representative, "was absolutely fabulous."
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