The annual Memorial Day Parade in the Village of Farmingdale will take place this Monday, May 26 beginning at 10 a.m. The parade will gather on Thomas Powell Blvd. and Bethpage Road and proceed down Main Street to the Village Green. There will be a short ceremony on the Village Green immediately following the parade.

This year, Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden invites all service men and women to join residents in marching in the parade.

"Any reserved or active duty personnel who is home on leave from the service - we'd love to have them march in the parade with us," Trudden said. "Many people just came home from Iraq. I imagine that some of them are from this area."

Those interested in marching are asked to call Farmingdale Village Hall at 249-0093 or the firehouse at 531-9820 for instructions on how to participate.

Following the parade, the Farmingdale Post Office will be dedicated in memory of Peter J. Ganci Jr., a Long Island hero. Ganci, a Farmingdale volunteer fireman and 33-year veteran and highly decorated Chief of the New York City Fire Department, lost his life on September 11, 2001.

Throughout his career, Chief Ganci served in the busiest firehouses in New York City. Cited over 10 times for bravery, he won the prestigious Frank T. Tuttlemondo Medal as a Lieutenant in 1983, for a rescue of a young girl trapped in a two-story tenement. As Chief of Department, Chief Ganci was responsible for all aspects of the FDNY including training and fire prevention. During his tenure as chief of department, he oversaw and helped to initiate dozens of positive changes for the FDNY, such as the merger with the Emergency Medical Service.

Chief Ganci died a hero on September 11, 2001, as he rescued dozens of firemen and civilians, sacrificing his own life in the process. Those who knew him know that Chief Ganci was a very humble individual. Although he held such a high ranking in the New York City Fire Department, when asked what he did he would reply that he was a fireman. He always considered himself just "one of the guys."

Chief Ganci is survived by his wife Kathleen, son Peter III, also a New York City firefighter; his son Christopher and daughter Danielle. Members of the Ganci family are expected to be in attendance at the dedication.

In addition, local dignitaries, including US Senator Hillary Clinton, US Congressman Peter King, FDNY Chief of Department Frank Cruthers, Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden and USPS LI District Manager Thomas F. Rosati are also expected to be in attendance.

The Farmingdale Post Office is located on Main Street in Farmingdale, across the street from the Farmingdale Fire Department and Village Hall.