While he may be known throughout Glen Cove as simply Tony Jimenez, when the 2008 Memorial Day Parade's Guest of Honor was introduced at the ceremonies of Monday, May 26, it was as Anthony P. Jimenez. According to Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi, Tony's mother calls him Anthony, and in her presence, so do all.

Under beautiful, spacious skies, Glen Cove residents gathered at Monument Park to honor American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in war to allow their countrymen to live in freedom, represented this day in the person of Anthony Jimenez. There were veterans of numerous wars in honor guards, in the parade, and many just mingling in the crowd with family and friends. The members of Young-Simmons Post were perhaps walking a bit more proudly than others, as Mr. Jimenez is a member of that American Legion Post.

Following a benediction by the Rev. Betsy Simpson, parade chairman Ed Mathieson introduced Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi, who presented Mr. Jimenez with a citation from the City of Glen Cove. County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi presented a citation from Nassau County and State Assemblyman Charles Lavine delivered a citation from the State Assembly. The accolades began with Mr. Jimenez's service in the Vietnam War and came full circle to his public service at home that continues to this day.

Mr. Jimenez entered the Army in October of 1969 and the following March was sent to Vietnam, assigned to the First Air Cavalry B2/7 Unit, which among other forays, was part of the first wave during the incursion into Cambodia. He was the recipient of numerous commendations, not the least of which was a Purple Heart. After recovering from his wounds, Mr. Jimenez returned to his unit, was later promoted to sergeant and returned stateside in February of 1971, assigned to Fort Dix until his honorable discharge in October of that year.

On the home front, Mr. Jimenez continues a life of public service. With Glen Cove EMS, he has answered more than 6,000 emergency medical calls, and on Sept. 11, 2001, was on the first ferry from Glen Cove to Manhattan to aid the injured and assist in the evacuation of survivors of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. He is active in a number of veteran organizations, a member of the Glen Cove Community PRIDE Committee and has been a youth mentor for seven years. He has much to teach.

In his poignant and very personal speech, Mr. Jimenez wasted no time in reminding all of the purpose of the very special American holiday. "I am here to call attention to those who are no longer with us," he said. "It is a day to pay our respects by remembering and honoring those who laid down their lives so that we can live in freedom."

Mr. Jimenez thanked the Young-Simmons Post for the honor bestowed on him, and made mention of the three important women in his life, "my beautiful wife Kathy, my daughter, Nina, and my mother...Mom." He also acknowledged his son Chris, who lives in California.

"I am dedicating this honor to the memory of three men," Mr. Jimenez continued. The first was his late father, who left high school to serve in the Navy during World War II. The second was a friend from his teenage days, Ray Inslee, who was sent to Vietnam a few months before the honoree and was killed in battle five days after Mr. Jimenez's arrival. The third was a man named Freddie who, he said, he "lived with, ate with, fought alongside of, but never knew his last name." Freddie was shot and killed by one bullet to his chest, just feet from where Mr. Jimenez stood. Through the wonder of the Internet, Mr. Jimenez was recently able to find a website that listed all the members of the 1st Cavalry by unit and date killed, and said he was proud to be able to "with great respect, say thank you to Pfc Fredrick August Holst.

The final words of Mr. Jimenez's speech lingered long after they were spoken, words found in the third verse of America the Beautiful: "Oh, beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self their country loved...'

"That, ladies and gentlemen, is what brings us together today. So to all who have fallen, to all families who have paid for our freedom with their loved ones' blood, I say thank you and God bless America."

America, and Glen Cove in particular, say thank you to Anthony P. Jimenez, and all those who have given their lives in the pursuit of life and liberty.