Memorial Day in Valley Stream will once again bring residents, veterans and local organizations together to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.
Among the events planned for the holiday weekend, the village’s annual Memorial Day parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. on May 25, assembling at the intersection of Wheeler Avenue and Rockaway Parkway. Following the parade, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1790 and American Legion Post 854 will host a joint Memorial Day barbecue beginning at 1 p.m..
“It is an honor to partner with the American Legion and VFW posts in commemoration of this year’s Memorial Day activities,” Mayor Ed Fare said. “This is when we as a country remember our war dead, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our great nation. We owe them this solemn tribute.”
The event marks the first time the two Valley Stream veteran organizations have collaborated on a barbecue of this scale. The partnership grew out of conversations between the two groups during previous events and reflects the close relationship shared by many veterans who belong to both organizations.
Patrick Clayton, junior vice commander of VFW Post 1790, said the collaboration is designed to strengthen ties within the community while increasing awareness of the work local veterans organizations perform year-round. While many residents know the organizations for hosting social gatherings and hall rentals, they also provide support services for veterans and their families, volunteer throughout the community and organize charitable initiatives.
Veterans involved in organizing the parade said they hope this year’s turnout exceeds previous years, with more residents lining the parade route and participating in the day’s ceremonies. They want the event to serve not only as a celebration, but also as an opportunity to educate the public about the meaning of Memorial Day.
“We want the whole community to come out and support Memorial Day,” Clayton said. “If you don’t, and you’re barbecuing at home, please just take a time to remember the men and women who served and passed away.”
Edward Priest, the new quartermaster of VFW Post 1790, emphasized that many of those who died in service were young people who volunteered to defend the country.
“From World War I to the Spanish War, these were children,” Priest said. “These were not 40 or 50-year-old men. There were 17, 18, and in some cases, 16 who wanted to serve. These were young kids, their age, who took up arms to serve and defend this country and gave their lives to defend it.”
Karen Seawright, a trustee at VFW Post 1790, said veterans organizations also play an important role in supporting active-duty service members returning home. She said local posts aim to provide guidance, camaraderie and resources that many veterans themselves struggled to find after leaving the military.
This year’s parade grand marshal will be Michael Tamayo, a lifelong Valley Stream resident and Valley Stream South High School graduate who joined the United States Navy in 2004 as a hospital corpsman. During the Iraq War, Tamayo deployed with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, known as “The Magnificent Bastards.” His unit earned both the Presidential Unit Citation and National Unit Citation for service during combat operations.
After completing six years of military service, Tamayo pursued a career in healthcare, earning a nursing degree from Molloy University and working throughout the Northwell Health system, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. He is also a member of American Legion Post 854 and remains active in the community.
With community gatherings planned for the holiday weekend, Memorial Day remains an important opportunity for residents to come together in remembrance and reflection.
