Despite the threat of rain or the lure of shopping malls, more than 600 men, women and children came out on Monday, May 28 to participate in the annual commemoration of Memorial Day with Glenwood Landing Post No. 336 of the American Legion. The festivities began with a service at the Memorial to World War I Servicemen and continued with a parade through Glen Head/Glenwood Landing to Legion Memorial Park at the Post's headquarters on Glen Head Road. The guests of honor were honored guests, indeed. They included four Purple Heart recipients, three from World War II and one from the Vietnam War: Anthony (Jerry) Giamanco, who was wounded while a marine in the Marshall Islands and is also a survivor of Okinawa; Louis (Lou) Slanina, a U.S. Army staff sgt. wounded in Germany; John (Craig) White, wounded while serving as a first lieutenant in Vietnam and still active as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and Stephen (John) Garbowski Jr., who also received the Bronze Star while serving the U.S. Army in Italy. Mr. Garbowski was unable to attend the ceremony.

Staff Sgt. David Whitting, USAR, led the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance, and North Shore High School Junior Michelle K. Moore sang the national anthem. In his invocation, Father Joseph Kozlowski remarked that everyone should be grateful that the "prodigal sun" had returned, and the weather remained quite agreeable for the outdoor tribute. Post Commander Richard Langone reminded the crowd that Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War, at which time members of the Grand Army of the Republic began placing flowers at the graves of the war dead, initiating the holiday once called Decoration Day. Parade Chairman Lt. Col. Craig White remarked that at 3pm ("or 1500 hours, if you prefer") there would be a voluntary moment of silence all across America, with many radio stations playing Taps. Lt. Col. Frank Galati, US Army (Retired) read a somber and moving roll call of local veterans killed in wartime and, as always, our POWS/MIAS were included in prayers. Sgt. at Arms John McShane led the firing squad in a three-gun salute followed by the playing of Taps by the North Shore High School Band.

The Glen Head/Glenwood Landing Business Association had placed the Stars and Stripes throughout the community and was also represented in the parade. Also marching were Glen Head Rotary, community sports and Scouting organizations and members of the Glenwood Landing Volunteer Fire Department.