As has been the custom for the last 53 years the Williston Park American Legion Post No. 144 held its Everlasting Services prior to the Williston Park Memorial Day Parade.
The service is held behind the American Legion Hall on Willis Avenue and is set up with miniature white crosses to help everyone to remember the sacrifice so many made to keep the residents of Williston Park free.
The bugler announces the first call, followed by an assembly and then the Master of Ceremonies welcomes all. This year it was Commander John Lawless who then introduced former North Hempstead Town Supervisor John Kiernan who in turn introduced the guest speaker Nassau County Clerk, Maureen O’Connell.
Then Commander Lawless announced the recently departed comrades including: Joseph Bolan, Richard Cosgrove, Vincent Giacalone, Peter Kivatinsky, Alexander McGuire, Paul E. Podstupksa Alfred Tall, James J. Ward, Sal Cinquemani, John Gannon, Edward Gorski, Richard Markiewicz, Randolf Nelson, Paul Puka, Patrick Tullo and Thomas Wrenn.
The Women’s Auxiliary then did the roll call of their department members including: Leona Adams, Margaret Clark, Dorothy Greene, Maryl Krohn, Genevieve Barnikowski, Rosalie Dentici, Josephine Kemisty and Ernestine Schumann.
My Buddy was beautifully song by Marvin Goodman and then Rose Marie Farrar delivered an equally beautiful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.
Both Pastor of St. Aidan Father Robert Hayden and the Reverend Chrstine Van Liew, of St. Andrew’s Church delivered brief, but meaningful thoughts about those who gave their lives and those who are still fighting for freedom.
Directly after the ceremony all those gathered to line up in the parking lot to begin the traditional Memorial Day parade.
