Morgan Park was at its loveliest on Sunday, Aug. 12, having been spruced up for company by Darcy Belyea, Joseph Famigietti and the Glen Cove Department of Parks and Recreation crew.

Sunday was the raindate of Swim Across America's annual Sound to the Cove - Swim to Fight Cancer at Morgan Park, delayed from Saturday, Aug. 11 due to heavy rains and winds on Friday, and the additional day served to calm the waters of the Long Island Sound and perhaps strengthen the resolve of the 168 swimmers who showed up very early on a perfect summer morning to register and don their yellow, pink or blue swimming cap, representing a one mile, 5K or 10K venture.

Some very familiar local faces belonged to the members of Team Glen Cove C.A.R.E.S., representing the city's hometown organization founded by the late Terry Petikas to be a cancer awareness resource education source. This year marked the team's sixth year of participation in the SAA event, with16 team members swimming under the leadership of co-captains Dan and Brian Cavallo and Heather Fanning. Six were first-time participants; some were as young as 12 years old. In addition to numbers marked on their arms, many swimmers wore initials of friends and family members in whose support or memory they swam.

Dan Cavallo, who swam at the back of his team to watch over the newbies, expressed admiration and gratitude for the team that, he said, "continues to grow every year, adding family, friends and friends of friends." A member of the team since its inception, Dan said he is signed up for life. "I'll take my last stroke when the last cancer patient finishes treatment," he declared.

While this year's donations are still being accepted and tallied, Team Glen Cove had raised about $10,000 before a toe had hit the water.

Team We Care member Marty Kosmynka made the swim for his second year, despite being transported to and from the water via wheelchair.

Charlene Sloane, one of three swimmers who swam the10K - and the only woman - is a two-time breast cancer survivor. The Great Neck resident wrapped herself in a towel as she sang the praises of her kayaking escort, Richard Arenella, a former Great Neck Parks Department Superintendent. "Richard made it so easy for me...all I had to do was swim," said Ms. Sloane. "I had nothing else to worry about."

Indeed, kayak escorts were all around the swimmers, patrolling the swim lanes prepared to intervene immediately in any emergency. Also vigilant was the Glen Cove Harbor Patrol. Harbormaster Michael Salentino reported that the water condition was excellent, much better than the day before, and said he was glad for the postponement. He thanked his crew, as well as the Nassau County Marine/Aviation Bureau, Glen Cove EMS and the Oyster Bay Fire Department for their assistance.

Following the swim was a hearty breakfast and an awards ceremony at the Morgan Park stage. Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi welcomed the guests and proudly announced to the swimmers that he "took a 10-minute shower this morning." He acknowledged the swimmers, SAA supporters, volunteers, beneficiaries and corporate sponsors who "use their vitality and health in the fight against cancer" and was proud to recognize Glen Cove's workers and volunteers for their part in hosting the inspirational event. Glen Cove Parks and Recreation had done double duty, setting up for Saturday, breaking down following the postponement, and setting up and breaking down once again on Sunday. The crew might not have been in the water, but the workers certainly put in their 10K.

The fable states that when mermaids "cease to exist here we only become the foam on the surface of the water," but the foam on the surface of the Sound to the Cove on Sunday was no imaginary creature; it was the vibrant spirit of every man, woman and child who has fought the all-too-real creature that is cancer.