Marching order and schedule
Matthew Falcone, commander of the Manhasset Post 304 American Legion, and James Brooks, parade chairman, have announced the parade order and schedule for the 2015 Manhasset Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Service. All Manhasset residents, their families and friends are invited to join the legion in this remembrance of the great sacrifices of our American heroes. While Memorial Day honors all deceased veterans, the theme of the parade this year is “The Greatest Battles of World War II: 70 Years Later, Lest we Never Forget.”
Memorial Services
A memorial service in honor of Manhasset’s war dead will be held at the Church of Our Savior Lutheran, 1901 Northern Blvd., on Sunday, May 24, at 10 a.m. All are urged to attend and to join with the legion in the remembrance of the great sacrifice of our military.
The legion and Boy Scout Troop 97 will place American flags on the graves of veterans in local cemeteries and will participate with other legion posts in decorating the graves at the Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn.
The American Legion has also donated American Flags which will be placed on the street light poles along Plandome Road.
Before the parade begins, the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department will honor veterans by placing wreaths at the Gold Star Monument and at the Memorial Field Veterans’ Monument.
The Parade
The Memorial Day Parade begins promptly at 10 a.m. There are over 25 organizations and four bands scheduled to march. The parade will include over 20 trucks from the Manhasset-Lakeville and Plandome Fire Departments.
During the parade the American Legion will place wreaths at both the World War I Memorial and the Gold Star Monument on Plandome Road.
The route of the parade will be along Plandome Road from Plandome Court to Memorial Place with excellent public viewing along the entire length.
Parade Line-up
Those planning to march in the parade are expected to be present, ready to march, in their designated assembly areas no later than 9:30 a.m.
The First Division, which assembles on Plandome Court South at Plandome Road, facing west, includes the American Legion Commander Matthew Falcone and First Division Commander Thomas Buzzitta; American Legion Colors and Banner; American Legion members; Inisfada Gaelic Pipe Band; American Legion vehicles, Poppy Queen vehicle; American Legion Auxiliary Unit 304 and the American Legion Auxiliary vehicle.
The Second Division, which assembles on Plandome Court at Heights Road, includes Second Division Commander Lynn Taylor; the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes & Drums; the Boy Scouts of America: Troop 97 and Troop 71; Cub Scout Pack 3 and Cub Scout Pack 101; the Girl Scouts of America: Junior Troops, Brownie Troops and Daisy Troops.
The Third Division, which assembles on Bourndale Road North at Plandome Road, includes Third Division Commander Anthony Buzzitta; the Manhasset High School Marching Band; the Manhasset PAL Baseball and Softball League; Manhasset PAL Lacrosse; Manhasset Soccer Club; the Council of Greater Manhasset Civic Associations; and the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer.
The Fourth Division, which assembles on Bourndale Road North starting at Chester Drive, includes Fourth Division Commander Patrick McGreal; the Manhattan College Pipe Band; the North Shore Nursery School; Manhasset Rotary Club; the Knights of Columbus; the North Shore Right to Life Committee; Guild of St. Francis Hospital; Coalition For A Safer Manhasset; and the Manhasset Park District.
The Fifth Division, which forms on Heights Road facing west, starting at the junction with Plandome Court, consists of the Plandome Fire Department accompanied by its marching band.
The Sixth Division, which assembles on Summit Drive at Plandome Road, provides the parade climax, the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department with the Nassau County Police Department Pipe and Drum Band and led by the Commissioners of the Fire District.
Memorial Service and Awards Ceremony
The parade will conclude in formation at the end of Memorial Place. Those participating in the Memorial Service and awards ceremony will proceed to the Manhasset High School auditorium. The program will begin with our National Anthem, played by the Manhasset High School Band under the direction of Mr. Randy Knudsen and sung by Catherine Lau.
The Reverend Edmund Doyle, Chaplain of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department, will give the invocation.
Chaplain James E. Sharkey of Manhasset Post 304 will read the Roll Call of the Deceased Veterans of the past year. Vice Commander James Brooks will present the School Award to one young man from both Manhasset High School and St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School. The American Legion Boys State Award will be presented to Colin Dunning, Peter Guariglia, Ryan Shelley and Marco DeSanctis.
Patricia O’Brien, president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 304, will preside over awards to young women from both Manhasset High School and St. Mary’s College Preparatory High School. The Empire Girls State Award will be presented to Elizabeth Guariglia and Julia Henry of Manhasset High School and Cara Midwinter of St. Mary’s.
After brief remarks by Commander Falcone, Reverend Doyle will give the Benediction. Catherine Lau will lead the audience in singing “God Bless America” to close the service.
All bearers of floral tributes will remain with their units and proceed to the monument at Memorial Field after the Memorial Service and Awards Ceremony under the guidance of the legion commander.
—Manhasset Post 304
American Legion
