Community Corner

Sun Shines on 2013 Mineola Memorial Day Parade

Mineola residents come out on Jericho Turnpike to watch annual parade.

“Today is not about the living,” American Legion Commander Carl Marchese said last Monday afternoon from the rear deck of the Mineola Memorial Library overlooking Memorial Park and a medium-sized crowd gathered near the war monument below. “Today is Memorial Day; we’re here to honor those brave men and women who gave their all - the patriots - so we could have gatherings like this, so we could have freedom of speech, freedom of so many things that we take for granted.”

Following a long but very well-attended Memorial Day parade through the streets of Mineola that started out at Wilson Park before heading north to Jericho Turnpike and over to Marcellus Road before turning south to Memorial Park under the 80-plus degree blaze of the early summer sun, the handful of veterans and residents crowded under what little shade the trees of the park provided as various local representatives spoke from the dais.

“It seems as a nation, as a whole, we often take for granted freedom,” Tom Scardino, commander of Adolph Block Post 1305 said. “This freedom was paid for by the lives of others, many of whom which we will never know or will know. That is why they are collectively remembered on this special day. By honoring the nation’s dead, we preserve their memory and their service and the ultimate sacrifice for the memories of the future generations.”

Added Commander of Catholic War Veterans Bill Kessler: “remember that the red stripes in our beloved flag stand for the blood that they shed.”

At least a dozen red, white and blue-colored wreaths circled the memorial rock monument in the center of the park which were donated by the various village organizations and businesses.

“We as a community, however, come together to remember something larger than ourselves, remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice; the sacrifice is larger than the individual, but it is the individual that gives and makes the sacrifice,” North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman said.

Jerry Olden, Yuri Karaz and Donald Olsen formed the rifle guard, firing a volley into the air in honor of the dead.

“Memorial Day is a day set aside for us to remember and honor those who were dedicated to the principals we live for and to our beliefs as a country to such great levels that they were willing to give up their lives for them,” Mineola Mayor Scott Strauss said. “Those principals and beliefs are what allows us to have and enjoy the liberties we at times take for granted. We will be remembering their lives and with a deserved somberness, their deaths. Our veterans – some long gone – have finished their work, but we have not. Our work and certainly our duty as Americans will always continue. We must and will continue honoring and remembering our veterans, our country and all the good she stands for, not just once a year on Memorial Day, but throughout our daily lives.”

In his speech, Marchese said that “the men and women that we honor and remember today have proven that they are not just friends to us – as Americans – but they are friends to men and women in countries around the world. We owe it to the heroes who died and the loved ones left behind to make sure that their sacrifices are remembered and that their service to this great nation always will be honored.”

After the ceremony, Marchese remarked that he was a bit taken aback by a contribution from the Marianist community at nearby Chaminade High School who made a $1,000 donation on behalf of disabled veterans.

“Their generosity is what floored me,” Marchese said, promising that the funds would go to help “deserving veterans’ causes that are legitimate.”

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