Members of Great Neck Boy Scout Troop #10, Cub Scout Pack #178 and Great Neck Girl Scout Troop #643 met at All Saints Church on Saturday, May 29, to place flags on the graves of veterans who fought and died, and were interred in the cemetery behind the church.
Louise McCann, commander of the Charles A. Fowler American Legion Post #160, chairperson of the Great Neck Memorial Day Parade Committee and organizer of the Flag Placement Ceremony, reminded the Scouts that each grave was to be treated with “dignity and respect for those who gave their lives for our freedoms.” Reverend Father Joseph S. Pae, Great Neck Episcopal Ministry, gave a solemn invocation to the assemblage. Donald Panetta, Boy Scout Troop #10 commander and coordinator of both the Boy and Girl Scouts, gave instructions to the senior Boy Scouts to make sure that the flags were placed appropriately and according to tradition. Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Lee Seeman and Nassau County Legislator Ellen Birnbaum were also present.
Seeman spoke of her experiences as a small child during WWII. “Families were fortunate when their loved ones returned home safe and sound,” she said. “Unfortunately, some were grief stricken when their soldiers did not. We are lucky to be here today to remember those who were not so fortunate.”
Read about the Memorial Day Parade here.
