Post Chaplain and Past Commander Thomas Fragale noted, "Memorial Day has lost its significance to most Americans. Most people consider it a day to barbeque and go to the beach --I say fine, combine the two-- but first go to your house of worship and remember those who gave their lives and then go off to the beach." Commander Blauert also commented that "experiencing and conveying the emotion of the day is one of the principal things, and while many people were concerned about getting home because of the impending rain, this service, and the service that followed in the middle school satisfied the military meaning of the day and helped demonstrate the emotion behind it --after all this is our goal as we are a patriotic organization."

Dr. Frey also commented that the Massing of the Flags had been "extremely well done" during the interdenominational service at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. Following the retiring of the colors, the clergy participating in the service and then the congregation followed to assemble for a short march to the parade. Garden City High School Band drummers and the attendees of the service marched to the corner of Cherry Valley Avenue and Tenth Street where the parade participants were assembling. Planning to march this year were: Veterans of the Vietnam War; U.S. Marines; U.S. Coast Guard; NYS Guard; GC Police Unit; Congresswoman McCarthy and staff members; Stratford School band and majorettes; Explorer Post #80; Explorer Post #849; Troop #56; Troop #80; Troop #24; Cub Scout Pack #7; Cub Scout Pack #55; Cub Scout Pack #56; Cub Scout Pack #243; Salvation Army; American Red Cross; GCHS Band and Color Guard; D.A.R.; Friends of the GC Band; Long Island Coral Society; GCMS Band and Majorettes; St. Joseph's School; St. Anne's School; GC Chamber of Commerce; GC Centennial Soccer Club; GC Lion's Club; GC Community Fund; GC Historical Society; GC/Mineola Rotary Club; GC Community Church; GC Kiwanis; GC Jaycees; GC Retired Men's Club; Fish of GC; GC Rams; GC Paves; GC Welcome Wagon; Stewart School Band; GC Girl Scouts and Brownies; GC Athletic Association; Mineola Ambulance; and GC Fire Department units.

As all of these groups and organizations assembled and spectators emerged from their homes to line the streets in support of Garden City's Veterans, the skies opened. Thunder, lightning, and heavy rains forced Parade Master Charles Canevari to cancel the parade. Canevari commented, "There was an obvious danger of lightning. With over 100 students planning to march with metal instruments and metal flagpoles, it posed a danger we couldn't tolerate." Many families scrambled to their cars to escape the rain, but the Veterans, determined to maintain the significance of the day, quickly went into action relocating the ceremony planned for the middle school's front lawn to the auditorium. Thanks to the quick work of the custodial staff, according to Frey and his comrades, the auditorium was transformed into the site for the ceremony within 25-30 minutes. Frey added, "They really moved quickly to reorient everybody."

The Garden City High School Band, under the direction of music teacher James McCrann, played the patriotic selections throughout the ceremony from the middle school stage. Without the Memorial Stone inside the auditorium, the Veterans used the power of imagination and created the place of the honored dead at the foot of the podium in the front of the auditorium for Sergeant-at-Arms James Vento and Auxiliary Sergeant-at-Arms Muriel Polk, assisted by Gold Scout Kerry-Jeanne Gehnrich, Gold Scout Lauren Wagner, Senior Scout Michael Dunn, and Senior Scout Andrew Trombino (who were to conduct the raising of the flag ceremony outside), to place the wreaths on the temporary Memorial Stone.

The place of the honored dead was guarded by LaSalle Military Academy with Cadet Captain Kristen Cole commanding and Cadet Corporal Patricia Cooper serving as Sergeant of the Guard. Dr. Frey said that, "they were very respectful and unobtrusive. They handled themselves beautifully and were at attention for every speaker." Chaplain Fragale also noted that they had brought a cannon, which remained outside, and when it went off for Roll Call, it was still audible inside the middle school. Muriel Polk noted that the Boy Scouts who stood with their flags throughout the ceremony, "were great" and commented that "it was nice of them --and there was a significant number of them-- to volunteer to do that-- and there were Scouts of all ages there too." The Garden City Police Department, the Fraternal Order of Police, the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary also had their flags in the procession up the aisle during the indoor ceremony.

All in attendance agreed that the address delivered by Grand Marshal Colonel Anthony Blice was particularly moving. Colonel Blice said, "Regrettably, the number of men and women who understand the true meaning of this word... sacrifice, grows steadily smaller. ...The memory of the price, the cost, in terms of human misery and suffering grows dim." He also stated, "Memorial Day is not about glorifying war; it is about remembering events which led to the death of our relatives, friends, and comrades. By remembering, perhaps, we can avoid returning future generations to Flanders Field." He thanked those who had fought and served and said, "I call upon God in His infinite wisdom and mercy to bless and keep each and every one of you. I am truly grateful that I have the good fortune to associate with such a great group of veterans."

All noted that Roll Call, the moment in the ceremony when the names of Garden City's fallen soldiers are read, is always very touching. Chaplain Fragale noted that it was mentioned in the addresses that no one from Garden City died during the Korean War or any war since Vietnam, for which all are grateful, but he also noted that the number of dead from WWII is almost disproportionate to the number of people living in Garden City at the time.

Those who survived their tours of duty took a moment to share their personal experiences with Garden City Life in light of Memorial Day.

Theodore Polk served in WWII in the Coast Artillery, anti-aircraft artillery, unit with the Army. He served in the Army Transportation Corps, primarily moving equipment, supplies, and personnel to various forts in Europe. His 4 and 1/2 years of service enabled the troops to get the supplies they needed and his was a welcome face when he arrived to bring departing soldiers to their debarkment centers to return home.

Thomas Fragale had the unique opportunity to serve in General MacArthur's unit in Japan as part of the occupation there in the G2GHQ intelligence branch. He worked in the field to gather military intelligence. He learned to speak Chinese as part of his intelligence work, as he and his comrades had to learn languages such as Hindustani and Balinese to communicate abroad. He was also part of the horse cavalry. Headquartered near the palace in Tokyo his experiences were certainly unique.

Dr. Joseph Frey served in the Korean War as a First Sergeant in the Army. He was a platoon sergeant in Korea on a tour of 10 months. His unit received a Presidential Unit Citation.

James Vento was in the US Marine Corps for two years stationed at Camp LeJuene in North Carolina as a member of the Marine Corps Band. He played the clarinet and sax, and while he expresses regret for not having served in Korea at the time, his comrades emphatically note that his role in the effort here on the home front was essential as well.

Charles Canevari served 3 and 1/2 years in military intelligence as a Second Lieutenant. He was in CIC and helped to plan the Normandy Invasion. His fieldwork enabled the United States to successfully reclaim France.

Frederick Camp served in the US Navy as a pharmicist, second class. He was part of the amphibious unit and was part of D-Day, the Normandy invasion, and Omaha Beach. He was also involved in the Pacific landing of Okinawa and Leyte. He was responsible for pulling men from the battlefield to receive medical attention, saving countless lives. His unit received the prestigious French Government's Citation. (He also noted that he met Carol O'Connor of All in the Family fame while stationed in Wales and mentioned that they had both grown up in Forest Hills.)

Herbert Blauert was an Army Staff Sergeant involved in the Utah Beach invasion and fought in five battles in Europe. When he returned home from WWII, he joined the Reserves, which sent him to fight in the Korean War as well. He also served on the Russian border in an artillery unit during the cold war.

Muriel Polk was a recent graduate during WWII and served her country working in the Grumman plants here on Long Island. She worked on the assembly lines in the factory and later worked in their offices. As Commander Blauert stated, "In the service we couldn't have done what we did without the support and hard work of the women at home."

The American Legion would like to note also that in future years, should it rain again, there will be a ceremony held inside the Garden City Middle School auditorium and all Village residents are encouraged to attend and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.