Hundreds of Massapequa citizens lined the streets to honor veterans and remember those lost as the annual Memorial Day Parade proceeded down Park Avenue in Massapequa Park, ending with a wreath laying ceremony at Brady Park.
As veterans from past wars from all branches of the service passed by, the people stood applauding, waving flags and thanking them for their service.
Many citizens had their own idea of the true meaning of Memorial Day.
“It means giving tribute to all of our soldiers who served our country,” said Carmen Munera.
William Degroat, a World War II veteran who served at Normandy said it was about freedom.
“It means I am free and so is the rest of the world, I hope,” he said.
Al Gast served four years in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. For him, Memorial Day has always been about preserving the American way.
“It means the world to me, especially with all of the people who have died to help us live the way we do now. It’s just terrific.”
Residents attending the parade were joined by elected officials, including Congressman Peter King, Supervisor John Venditto, Legislator Michael Venditto, the village board of Massapequa Park and Mayor Jeff Pravato.
“This is a day of remembrance, a day to remember our veterans and heroes who fought for this country so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today,” said Pravato. “I think our veterans in our town are outstanding. I love every one of them. They fought hard and they deserve the best.”
Pravato reiterated this sentiment again in his speech at Brady Park and then encouraged people to “go up to a veteran and thank them for their service. It means so much to them. They deserve our respect.”
Village trustee Richard Begandy, commander of Veterans of Foreign War, post 7763 and a Korean War Veteran, gave the keynote speech. He described the history of Memorial Day, which is unique to this country. He told the story of how the poppy symbolizes fallen veterans. He spoke of how poppies appeared on battle fields filled with the blood of the fallen and then read the poem “Flanders Fields.” He told of how buying a poppy from a veteran is used to help the families and wounded soldiers.
“Remembering the thousands of men and women who left their homes, their families, their jobs and went willingly to fight for this country, to fight what is right, to defend the world, not only this country, against tyranny and dictatorship,” he said. “The price of freedom is extremely high. If anyone ever wants to know what the price of freedom is all they have to do is go to the National Cemetery in Farmingdale and you will see row upon row of graves and you will see the terrible price of freedom.”
