New Hyde Park Parade 2001-A Washout

World War II Memorial Monument Dedicated at NHP Funeral Home

By Margaret Whitely

In only the third time since 1946 the New Hyde Park Memorial Day Parade was canceled due to rain. Other canceled parades were both in the 1960s. Just at 10 a.m. when the parade was about to step off at Hillside Boulevard and head for Jericho Turnpike the heavens opened and it started to pour rain so VFW Commander Mario Obertis called the parade because of the amount of young children that would be marching.

Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta, who was supposed to be the guest speaker at the parade was in time for the brief rainy ceremony along with Director of Nassau County Veterans Service Agency Patrick Yngstrom, who represented him at the dedication, Marilyn Obertis wife of VFW Commander Mario Obertis, American Legion Commander Chuck Ulrich and Michael Milnok.

The impressive World War II Memorial created and erected by New Hyde Park Funeral Home owner Joseph Smolenski, Jr. has the following inscription: "In World War II 16,500,000 Men and Women served; 406,000 Made the Supreme Sacrifice. Dedicated To the Memory of The Veterans of WWII." Honored guests John and Peggy Assenzio of New Hyde Park featured in Tom Brokoaw's book, The Greatest Generation . He was in World War II and she wrote to him every day that he was overseas.

There was a brief ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial at New Hyde Park Village Hall in the rain and the rest of the parade lineup went into Marcus Christ Hall for coffee, doughnuts and hotdogs.

However at noon, at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, most of the parade dignitaries and units gathered at the ceremonies to dedicate the World War II Memorial built by owner Joseph Smolenski, Jr. in memory of all World War II Veterans.

Guests of honor at the dedication were John and Peggy Assenzio who were featured in Tom Brokaw's book, The Greatest Generation.

Owner of the New Hyde Park Funeral Home Joseph Smolenski, Jr. gave a brief history of World War II and then introduced the other featured guests, all who gave brief speeches, including: Commander VFW, of New Hyde Park, Mario Obertis; aide to Governor George Pataki, Heide Fessler; Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto; New Hyde Park Village Board members including Mayor Daniel Petruccio, Deputy Mayor Robert Lofaro and trustees Lawrence Montreuil and Donald Barbieri and Justice of New Hyde Park Village David Sullivan; Co-pastor of Holy Spirit Church Rev. Anthony Stanganelli delivered the Invocation and the Convocation was delivered by Pastor Community Congregational Church Pastor David Tucker. Other dignitaries included: Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello; Third Precinct Inspector Vincent Muscarnera; North Hempstead Town Councilman Angelo Ferrara; New Hyde Park Fire Department Chief Thomas Smith; Nassau County Comptroller Fred Parola. The National Anthem was sung by Angela Powers and the Nassau County Emerald Society Pipe Band was on hand to play Amazing Grace and a medley of patriotic tunes.

The moving ceremony was completed just in time to avoid the next bout of rain in New Hyde Park. All the guests headed for the covered area where hotdogs and salads were being served. (See page two for further photos of parade and World War II dedication.)