This year, Great Neck's Memorial Day Parade will feature a father and son as the grand marshals. Nathaniel Gray Sr. (Nate) and his son Nathaniel Gray II are the marshals for Great Neck's 82nd Annual Memorial Day Parade on May 29.

Marching organizations will be assembling at 9 a.m. at South Middle Neck Road and Hillpark Avenue, and will march to the Village Green, where a Memorial Ceremony will be held.

The parade will consist of over 25 local organizations and businesses, including the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and local fire companies. The New York Police Department Pipe and Drums and the Great Neck South High School Marching Band will help to keep everyone in step.

Nathaniel Gray Sr., known as Nate, was born in Montgomery, Alabama on June 7, 1944. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1964, and soon moved north with his sister, when they moved to Great Neck.

In December of 1967, Nate began basic training for the Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In 1968, after completing training, he was shipped out to Vietnam and was assigned to the 1/52 Battalion, 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. During his tour of duty Nate was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal, two Overseas Bars, and the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism. Known by his peers as "Sargent" Nate, he was always the "Go to Guy" everyone could count on in any emergency.

After he completed his tour of duty, Nate worked as an auto mechanic for several years until a stroke and blindness in his left eye forced early retirement; but not retirement from his passion for fishing.

Nate is a life member of the Great Neck Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Great Neck American Legion Post.

Nathaniel Gray II was born and raised in Great Neck and graduated from Great Neck North High School in 1998. An employee of the Great Neck Park District until he enlisted in the US Army in April of 2002, Nathaniel said that he was able to "see life's challenges and what the world has to offer." Just like his father before him, Nathaniel was assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for his training.

Upon completion of Army training, Nathaniel was assigned to the 1/159th Aviation Regiment as a ground equipment maintenance specialist. In December of 2004, his regiment was deployed to Iraq, where, in addition to his many duties as a maintenance specialist, Nathaniel was also a door gunner, protecting this fellow troops on several Black Hawk helicopter operations.

Nathaniel returned home on Nov. 20, 2005, and is currently serving with the Army Reserves in the 340th Military Police Company, continuing to serve and protect his country.

Nathaniel is "honored and filled with joy" to be marching in his hometown parade with his mother and his father by his side. He is proud to share the duties of grand marshal with his father.