Residents of Mineola, Williston Park and East Williston took their Memorial Day commemorations seriously.
Hundreds of people turned out for the three villages’ ceremonies and parades to honor the country’s fallen soldiers and to hear reminders from local veterans and American Legion posts that the day should be one of solemn thanks and memory, not just a fun-filled celebration.
“I think people need to examine the fact that our history is what it is. Our soldiers have always stepped up when called upon to do their duty,” said Eric Spinner, the American Legion Commander of Williston Post 144, which organized Williston Park’s Memorial Day ceremonies and parade. “Nobody hates war more than the soldier, but the soldier is the one who is willing to fight. They very often pay the ultimate price.”
Williston Park’s parade was led by the legion, which was followed by local Boy Scout troops and Little League teams, the village’s Fire Department, the Herricks High School marching band, who played through the parade and and were joined by village residents. Roughly 200 people marched with the legion.
“It’s a good thing to see people participate,” Williston Park Mayor Paul Ehrbar said. “We need to honor those who passed away during combat, our fallen soldiers, and also to honor the veterans who are here to put this together today, including the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.”
Prior to marching, the group gathered at the Williston American Legion Post 144 for their pre-parade ceremony around 9 a.m. The ceremony, which included a prayer from a local chaplain and speeches from local politicians, including Ehrbar and North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena, was intended to honor those who died serving the United States and all American Legion Post 144 members who died during the past year.
Pieces of paper with the names of those lost from the Legion and the Ladies Auxiliary Legion were burned to the ringing of a bell near the end of the ceremony.
“The Post Everlasting ceremony represents that when legionnaires die, they go to Post Everlasting, the legion of the sky,” Spinner said. “This is how we represent it. We read their names, and we have a symbolic piece of paper, which is supposed to be their record of service. It serves as a way to remember all of those who died within the past year.”
Over in East Williston, remembering the sacrifice of those who died in service was also top of mind for Mayor Bonnie Parente, whose niece had graduated from the Marine Corps Recruitment Depot in Parris Island, S.C., over the weekend.
“I was exceptionally happy that a lot of our scouts, our board members and especially the Willets Road School band came out for the parade,” Parente said. “It means a lot to me because it shows that everyone wants to take the time out from their barbecues to remember the fallen.”
Following their annual parade and 5k run, the village held a ceremony on the village green to honor those who died in service. The memorial involved a prayer from a local reverend, a speech from veteran and owner of local hero spot BRANDOS Brandan Banks and the placing of paper red poppy wreaths on the village green, which had been made by North Side Elementary School classes.
Mineola’s parade boasted the highest turnout across the three villages. With over a dozen groups marching, multiple bands and a flock of motorcycles near the front of the group, the village had hundreds of participants and spectators along the route.
Steve Grosskopf, the scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 45 who organized the parade, said the high turnout was important to him.
“What is important is the response, so many people are marching and watching. It means a lot of people feel like I do: It’s important to honor the veterans,” Grosskopf said. “Memorial Day isn’t just about picnics and barbecues. It’s about honoring these guys.”
Grosskopf said he and the Boy Scouts took the parade organization over three years ago, at a time when the village’s parade almost stopped due to the shrinking of the veteran’s organization that previously ran it.
“We said we can’t let this not happen,” Grosskopf said. “I’ve been involved in the parade for 40 years.”
The parade’s grand marshal, local Navy veteran Donald Franz, said he felt the same way about the high turnout and was honored to lead the parade.
“It’s very good recognition. That’s a big thing. I’ve lived in town all my life, so I really enjoy being part of community service,” he said.
Franz served in the Navy from 1966 to 1971. He has also been a volunteer firefighter in Mineola for 55 years, a firefighter in nearby Garden City Park for 34 years and has worked with the local Boy Scout troop for 65 years.
“Memorial Day is not about being a veteran. It’s about the ones who didn’t come home,” Franz said. He and his family emphasized the importance of the day and taking the time for the parade and ceremonies.
“I hope this goes on forever,” he said, smiling.
