"Many of today's heroes died in wars that united our nation and some in wars that divided it. Some in battles won and some in battles lost. Some as infantrymen and some on a supply truck. Some who died in a blaze of heroic glory and some quietly and alone stricken by a disease. Some were buried with full military honors and some with only their bloodstained uniforms as a burial shroud."

Mayor Thomas Suozzi, Memorial Day 2000

Memorial Day was observed throughout our community on May 29 this year as veterans, friends and neighbors gathered to honor the memory of all those men and women in uniform who gave their lives when called to serve this nation. The Glen Cove Memorial Day Parade Guest of Honor this year was Vietnam War veteran Gary W. Collins. During ceremonies in the city's Monument Park, Mr. Collins, proudly wearing his Bronze Star and Purple Heart, offered thanks to his fellow veterans at American Legion Young Simmons Post 1765, to the Memorial Day Parade Committee and to Mayor Thomas Suozzi. "Today I finally feel welcomed home since the day I returned from Vietnam. Now, I can put my Vietnam ghosts to sleep. And to all veterans of all wars, I hope I represent all of you with honor," said Mr. Collins.

In Sea Cliff, the James Brengel American Legion Post 456 was joined by Sea Cliff Village officials, Scout troops, members of the fire department, school children and a host of representatives from many of the village's volunteer organizations for the annual parade. A tradition begun a generation ago was observed again this year. The parade stopped in front of McCarthy's Deli on Roslyn Avenue and members of Post 456 paid their respects to the family of John "Jack" McCarthy. Jack's story is like so many other stories of so many other young men who have served this country in so many wars. Jack was in the Army and stationed in Vietnam 31 years ago. He was killed under enemy fire, just weeks after his 19 birthday. Accepting the honor on behalf of the family, was Timothy McCarthy, (Jack's brother), Tim's wife, Teresa, and their 9-year-old son, Anthony John. Moments later, the parade was stopped one more time at the Sea Cliff firehouse as volunteer firefighters honored the memory of their deceased comrades.

In each parade there was Old Glory, proudly snapping in the wind carried through our communities by veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf war. In each ceremony there was a three-gun salute and Taps played by a young trumpeter. The poignant sentiments of the day can be found within the words of Mayor Suozzi's speech given at Monument Park as the day's commemorations began. "The memory of our war dead demands that we help to fulfill this nation's destiny as the greatest nation in the history of mankind.....we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain."