By Debbie Tedeschi and Douglas W. Weston
The Memorial Day parade grand marshals have been chosen as Douglas C. Schlaefer Sr. for the VFW Post 1819 and John Hellenschmidt for the American Legion post 509. The Port Washington Memorial Day parade, on Monday, May 28, will begin at 10 a.m., starting down Campus Drive and later making its way down Port Boulevard and Main Street to the Sousa Band Shell in Sunset Park for a ceremony.
Schlaefer, the VFW Post 1819 Grand Marshal, enlisted into the United States Army on Sept. 9, 1953. At age 17, he started basic training with the 69th Infantry Division at Fort Dix, NJ. One of his assignments was driving his Commanding Officer to various destinations. After basic training, he was transported via ship to Busan, Korea. While serving in Korea, he received several ribbons and awards including the Good Conduct Medal.
Schlaefer was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned to his lifelong home in Port Washington. He was employed for eight years by Colonial Sand and Stone. He then worked at Gordon Schlaefer’s Furniture store on Main Street for 36 years. He retired from the furniture business at age of 72. Schlaefer was also the owner of Village Delicatessen on Main Street in Port for several years.
The Schlaefer family is well-known and respected in Port Washington. Doug’s father, Harold Schlaefer, was the first motorcycle policeman in Port. His cousin, Gordon Schlaefer, founded the furniture business which is now located in Southold and renamed “The 1670 House.”
Schlaefer resides in Port with his wife Maryan. His youngest son works for the Town of North Hempstead and also lives in Port. His daughter, Kim Marie Smith, lives in Port Washington and works for the Port Washington School District. His oldest son passed away four years ago. He has seven grand-children and five great-grandchildren. His sister Dawn is also a lifelong resident of Port Washington.
Schlaefer has been an active member of the Manhasset Bay Sportsmen’s Club since 1985. He is honored to be representing the veterans of Port Washington in the Memorial Day Parade.
John Hellenschmidt is proud to be a member of the American Legion Post 509 in Port Washington.
“It is a great honor to be selected as Post 509 Grand Marshal for the 2018 Memorial Day Parade,” said Hellenschmidt.
He served his country at the Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, where the missions included: In Flight Refueling, Fighter Interceptors, and Air Rescue and Recovery. His duties included working in the computer department, and various jobs on the flight line.
Hellenschmidt and his wife Nancy raised their two children in Port Washington, and have been local residents for many years. Today he is a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker serving the local community and people living on the North Shore.
