By JUDY RATTNER
Groups of onlookers young and old (in greater numbers than in previous years) gathered at intersections along Maple Avenue to watch the Memorial Day parade. Former servicemen affiliated with American Legion Post 303, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 145 and the Choisin Few, accompanied by the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, led the procession.
In quick order came Rockville Centre Police Commissioner Jack McKeon, Mayor Mary Bossart and Deputy Mayor Chuck Joyce, accompanied by Trustees Jeanne Mulry and Dave Krasula and state Sen. Dean Skelos. Representatives from Rookie Tee Baseball, the Little League, Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies and Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Rockville Centre Public Library, the village's lacrosse and soccer clubs and the Chamber of Commerce also marched in the parade.
The South Side High School Wind Ensemble was directed by Gene Kaplan. Both the Rockville Centre Police Department and the village Fire Department, led by its chief, former American Legion post commander Michael Lapkowski, were also well represented.
"We're here to honor those who cannot be here with us today," Gus Lanzo, the parade's master of ceremonies and the American Legion's current post commander, told the crowd gathered near the reviewing stand at Veterans Memorial Park outside the Recreation Center. "Let's do our best to make sure our soldiers and servicemen are not forgotten."
After South Side High School student Dakota Rizzi sang the national anthem and the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance, the Rev. Harald Kuehne delivered the invocation. He spoke of the "sweet land of liberty" in which we live, and prayed that our land "might long be bright with freedom's holy light." Kuehne, himself a veteran of World War II, also reminded the audience to honor village native Lt. Ronald Winchester, who was killed in Iraq in September 2004. Kuehne also said that "the freedoms often taken for granted are not free - they are paid for with the sacrifice and valor of our troops."
Lanzo paid tribute to the World War II veterans at the ceremony, including Charles Cino, John Lamonica, Charles Franzini, Dan Brandi, Lester Wilensky, George Antonucci, Peter Scaturro and William Tricarico.
Bossart spoke of the origins of Memorial Day, telling the crowd that its inspiration came 140 years ago, from Southern women who decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers after the Civil War. She spoke of the rite of remembrance honoring the men the country has lost. The 105 names inscribed on the plaque in the Recreation Center's Veterans Memorial Park were village residents who lost their lives in World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Iraq.
Bossart said that Memorial Day is a time to reconnect with the ideas and values for which our servicemen fought and died. And she described the fallen as "eternal witnesses to our precious liberty."
Skelos, the parade's grand marshal, recalled that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, and that in 1971 it became a national holiday. He remembered a childhood friend from Rockville Centre who went off to Vietnam and never came back. He urged the community to celebrate Winchester's life and sacrifice, and said that people in the village care about each other, citing the numerous volunteers who never ask for anything and give so much back to the community.
Cino spoke of the endurance, sacrifice, honor, duty and valor of the armed forces. "Honor the memory of fallen soldiers," he suggested, "by serving soldiers who return sick and injured."
Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby presented the village a Certificate of Recognition in tribute to an occasion that "epitomizes patriotic spirit and community involvement." Goosby, who was attending her third parade that morning, spoke of the sacrifices of America's servicemen and women and their families as they keep the nation safe and free.
In his benediction, the Rev. Stephen Brigandi of St. Agnes reminded his audience "to honor the men and women in the armed forces and the lives given in sacrifices which make our freedom possible.
"We remember all veterans," Brigandi continued, "who have given their lives in service to our nation. Their example of American pride, sacrifice and service will never be forgotten. Their lives have protected us, preserved our freedom and liberty and have paved the way for peace. In gratitude and thanks for their courage and pride, we hold this day most sacred and respected. May we keep this alive in the hearts of future generations and never forget.
"We also remember those who grieve the loss of loved ones who have served our nation," he added. "May we all grieve their loss and unite in honoring them today and forever."
After a laying of wreaths, with a final salute from the parade's officer of the day, Lt. Col. Paul Casazza, and after Lt. Glenn Quinn led Rockville Centre police officers in a rifle salute, South Side High School's Drew Seeger played a soulful taps and Molly Bier sang "God Bless America." The crowd dispersed, bringing thoughts and memories of the morning's tributes with them to their activities the remainder of Memorial Day 2008.
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